Abstract: A door closing mechanism, involving a shaft rod that moves in relation to, and is installed inside a tube unit. On the shaft rod is an open/close unit.

Abstract: A dual pivot hinge for a vehicle door includes a door side hinge support, and a body side hinge support, connected by a hinge arm. The door side hinge support includes a cam surface terminating in a detent. A rocker arm is pivotally mounted to the hinge arm, and includes a roller that is biased against the cam surface of the door side hinge support. A stop link is pivotally mounted between the body side hinge support and the hinge arm. To open the door, the door side hinge support pivots about the hinge arm until the roller of the rocker arm engages the detent. As the door opens further, the hinge arm pivots on the body side hinge support. The stop link prevents the hinge arm from over-rotating, and a roller and torsion rod arrangement prevents the door from inadvertently closing. Closing the door follows the reverse sequence.

Abstract: A multi-function clamp has a base plate, a connecting seat connected to the base plate, a pressing seat integrally formed with the connecting seat, an outer cover pivotally connected to the base plate and a rear clip securely engaged with the base plate. Multiple soft pads are securely sandwiched between the base plate and the outer cover to function as shock absorber. Spacers are formed on a rear face of the base plate to keep a distance to the rear clip. Hemispheres are formed on the rear clip to engage with the rear face of the base plate to clamp an object with the rear face of the base plate.

Abstract: An electrical assembly includes an electrical convoluted tubing, at least one electrical conductor and an electrical tie. The electrical convoluted tubing includes an outer surface having a plurality of generally parallel, annular convolutions defining respective grooves therebetween. Each groove has a width. The at least one electrical conductor is positioned within the tubing. The electrical tie is positioned around the tubing and includes a head and an elongate strap. The elongate strap has opposing sides and an end. The end is attached to the head. At least one of the sides has at least one longitudinally extending rib, with each rib having a width which is less than the groove width.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high strength hook. The hook comprises an annular metal insert (3) embedded in a synthetic material end block of the hook around a passage (4) for slidably receiving the end of a cable (5) in the vicinity of a stop abutment (4c) designed to stop the end of the cable in the traction direction. The invention is applicable to hooks comprising a metal hook having an end embedded in a handle block.

Abstract: A shoelace fastener for a shoe includes a clamp unit and a pull lace. The clamp unit includes at least one generally U-shaped flexible string section defining an opening, and at least one clamp member attached slidably to and extending across the flexible string section to divide the opening into a first aperture and a second aperture. The flexible string section has a U-bend cooperating with the clamp member to confine the second aperture. The clamp member is slidable along the flexible string section between a clamping position in which the clamp member moves toward the U-bend, and a releasing position in which the clamp member moves away from the U-bend. The pull lace is connected to the flexible string section for pulling the flexible string section so that the clamp member slides along the flexible string section to the releasing position.

Abstract: A device for securing and adjusting laces, including any types of cord or string, of a wide variety of articles. The device comprises a body, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter. The top surface and the bottom surface of the device may be separated by a constant or a variable depth. The body of the device is provided with at least two “lateral” apertures positioned laterally on opposite sides of a center on the body. The body is further provided with at least one “central” aperture positioned between the lateral apertures, and preferably near the center of the body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.

Abstract: An inkjet print head comprises a mandrel having flat front and rear surfaces disposed between an initially curved rear membrane and an initially flat front membrane. The rear membrane is initially hemispherically curved, in close contact at its periphery with the rear surface of the mandrel but substantially removed from the mandrel in its central region. Because the membranes are mechanically coupled, the initially curved rear membrane causes the initially flat front membrane to bow away from the front surface of the mandrel. Ink contacts only one membrane, preferably the front membrane, which is typically held at a ground potential. By applying a voltage sequence to the membranes and mandrel, the position of the actuator may be controlled in a “push-pull” manner.

Abstract: A method is provided to generate electrical current. The method includes creating a plurality of unitary masses each connected to one of a plurality of piezoceramic mass supports. The mass supports are electrically joined to a sheath. The method also includes removing material from the unitary masses to operably limit a mass vibration deflection. The sheath is attached to a vibrating body. The unitary masses are pre-tuned to match at least one natural frequency mode of the vibrating body. The unitary masses and the piezoceramic mass supports are induced to vibrate to generate the electrical current.

Abstract: A work pallet that is arranged to be simple in construction capable of machining five faces of a work by rotating it around the axis of rotation. A work pallet (4) comprises a base body (5) detachably fixed to the table (3) of a machine-tool (1), a pallet main body (6) fixed on the top face of this base body (5), and a work setting face forming body (7), provided on this pallet main body (6) in a way to turn around the rotational axis (20) and having a work setting face (21a) for fixing a work (2), and the pallet main body (6) is provided with a clamping mechanism (31) for releasably fixing the work setting face forming body (7), and a rotational driving mechanism (32) for rotationally driving the work setting face forming body (7) around the rotational axis (20).

Abstract: A pipe-cutting device comprising a portable support; a device for rotating said pipe relative the support; a cutter associated with said support for cutting the pipe during rotation of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of fastening at least two large-surface components together by hole-punching rivets, in which the rivets are driven through the components by rivet drivers and against dollies, and fastening the components together. The components rest on supports, and the dollies are a part of these supports; each of the rivet drivers as well as the dollies are guided unfocused to a correct position where a hole-punching rivet is to be placed.

Abstract: A tool for the removal and replacement of valve springs on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine while the cylinder head is either mounted to the engine block within the vehicle or is positioned on a work bench apart from the engine. The tool comprises a bracket component that is mounted by a number of bolts to the cylinder head to be worked on. The bracket includes a number of upright threaded bolts each associated with an adjacent upright guide. A pressure plate is progressively positioned on each set of the upright bolts and upright guides. Beneath the pressure plate are positioned two (or more) valve guides that engage the outer upper perimeter of two or more valve springs. A nut is threaded on to the upright bolt in a manner that forces the pressure plate and the valve guides downward onto the valve springs. Compression of the springs releases the split rings or collars that hold the valve springs to the valve stems.

Abstract: The tool set is preferably made in three pieces; a main spear that attaches to and extends from the assembly shaft that projects through a mounting wall of the transmission housing, and holds the selected assembled parts together; an alignment spear that engages one bolt hole on the assembly and passes through a hole in the housing intended for a mounting bolt; and a spacer sleeve to engage the spear and extend to part of the assembly. The main spear and spacer sleeve can be one part if preferred.

Abstract: The present invention is a replacement throttle valve cable assembly and method of use for an automatic transmission of a land vehicle, which permits repair of the throttle valve cable without unnecessary replacement of serviceable components such as the cable housing and linkage clip components. This is accomplished by the use of a cable stop device or so-called adjustment stud, which permits transmission shift performance to be fine-tuned by temporary adjustments to the cable length prior to permanent installation. The adjustment stud includes a temporary setscrew fastener integrally connected to a permanent swage fastener by an undercut shear zone. Once the cable length is established and the vehicle road tested, the swage fastener is permanently installed on the cable. Thereafter, the segmented portion of the adjustment stud containing the setscrew is snapped off at the shear zone along with any excess cable by a suitable tool.

Abstract: A method for disassembling a discarded refrigerator that uses a foamed resin as a heat insulator according to the present invention includes the processes of cutting and separating a heat-insulating housing of a refrigerator into pieces having a predetermined size and shape; obtaining the foamed resin by passing the pieces between a pair of compression rollers arranged so as to oppose each other and compressing the pieces, thereby peeling off and separating an incompressible plate-like object layered at least on one surface of the pieces; and collecting a foaming gas by passing the foamed resin (301) between a pair of compression rollers (331, 332) arranged so as to oppose each other and compressing the foamed resin, thereby allowing the foaming gas in the foamed resin to leak out. This makes it possible to collect a foaming gas in a heat insulator while maintaining a high concentration with small equipment at low cost.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for rapidly and selectively moving a threaded screw and nut member combination into or out of threaded engagement, particularly for use to pressurize angioplasty balloon catheters, or the like. The mechanism includes a housing and a threaded screw structure slidably displaceable through the housing. A nut member having partial threads is selectively engageable and disengageable with the threaded screw structure. The mechanism includes a carrier member and is designed to be assembled from the rear. The carrier member is preferably configured to be retainably engaged with the housing via a bayonet arrangement, such as a quarter-turn bayonet arrangement, and is configured to provide an audible indication when it is, in fact, properly and fully installed. Preferably, the housing is configured to receive a pressure gauge directly into a threaded bore on the housing. An improved method of assembling an actuating mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A method of covering a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein. In the method, a cover having an upper extension is formed about the flower pot. The upper extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the upper extension extends about a portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering. The cover is secured about the pot and floral grouping via an adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on the cover.

Abstract: A scuffing device (30) arranged to impart texture to a plastic pallet surface (12) having a plurality of cutting members (34) axially aligned and mounted adjacent each other, the cutting members (34) having radial toothed edges for cutting into and imparting texture to the plastic pallet surface upon rotating engagement therewith. The device further having a shaft upon which the cutting members are mounted for providing rotational movement to the cutting members.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an electric motor stator. In accordance with the method, coil groups are inserted for different electrical phases through a first and second ends of a stator core. An insertion tool is used for insertion of the coil groups independently. Coils for individual phases are inserted through the first and second ends, and leads for the coil groups may exit alternative ends as a result of the method.

Abstract: A stator coil of a rotary electric machine such as an alternator for use in an automobile is composed of a plurality of U-shaped conductor segments inserted into slots formed in a stator core. Each segment has a head portion and two legs extending from the head portion. The plurality of segments include regular segments each having a regular distance between two legs (a regular slot-pitch) and special segments each having a special slot-pitch different from the regular slot-pitch. The head portions of both the regular and the special segments are simultaneously twisted to form the respectively required slot-pitches after a preliminary twist is given to the special segments. In this manner, a process of manufacturing the stator coil is simplified.

Abstract: A motor stator core for achieving improved magnetizing feature in lower magnetic fields and reduced iron loss, and improving motor power. The stator core fabriated out of non-oriented electrical steel sheets is annealed by applying a magnetic field to the heated stator core at least in the temperature range from a temperature immediately above a Curie point thereof to 300° C. in the process of cooling the stator core. The magnetic field has the same direction as the direction of exitation of a stator in the motor when used to drive a motor. This increases the magnetic induction in lower magnetic fields in particular and reduces the hysteresis loss, with a reduction in the total iron loss of the stator. A motor using this stator core increases in saturation induction under exciting currents of higher frequncies, allowing enhanced motor power.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for fabricating electromagnetic meta-materials includes applying first and second array of electromagnetically reactive patterns to first and second non-conducting surfaces, wherein the first array includes at least one of a split ring resonator pattern, a square split ring resonator pattern, and a swiss roll pattern, and the second array includes a thin parallel wire pattern. The first and second non-conducting surfaces are joined together such that the first and second non-conducting surfaces bearing the first and second arrays of electromagnetically reactive patterns are commonly oriented. Alternately, a method may further include slicing between elements of the first and second arrays of electromagnetically reactive patterns in a plane perpendicular to the first and second surfaces to form a plurality of slices, rotating at least one of the slices, and applying a third array of electromagnetically reactive patterns to a third non-conducting surface.

Abstract: A suspension load beam for an actuator assembly of a disk drive includes a bend radius portion with a spring rate that is less than 18 Newtons per meter, a first bending mode that is greater than 3,500 Hertz, and a first torsion mode that is greater than 5,300 Hertz. The method of making this suspension load beam includes cutting a sheet of material to form a flat suspension load beam including a bend radius portion, removing material in the bend radius portion from full thickness, inspecting the bend radius portion to determine its thickness, and removing material from the bend radius portion and/or from the main body of the suspension load beam to compromise the performance difference due to thickness variation in bend radius portion.

Abstract: A common mode choke coil has a plurality of metallic conducting wires buried into a sintered magnetic material such that the metallic conducting wires are proximate to each other and an electrode mounted on a surface of the sintered magnetic material so as to be connected to each end portion of each of the metallic conducting wires. The metallic conducting wires are integrally coated with a non-magnetic and electrically insulating material at a predetermined distance between each of the metallic conducting wires to thereby form coated conducting wires. The coated conducting wires buried into the sintered magnetic material are thus obtained.

Abstract: A device for fitting substrates with electric components includes a stationary carrier supporting a positioning device. The carrier is arranged above at least two fitting stations that are located one after the other in a conveying direction. A chassis of the device includes end supports and central supports that are connected to the carrier.

Abstract: A press apparatus presses a wire into a wire connector that is carried on an elongated strip. The connector has an opening at a top thereof, is stored on the strip in a side-ways orientation and is fed into the press on the strip. The press includes a feed path having a reorienting section to reorient the connector to position the opening in an upward orientation. A guide portion defines a conveyance path and direction. The guide portion has opposing walls. A one-way feed assembly feeds the connector into the press and prevents reverse movement of the connector. The feed assembly includes a guide wall and a feed pawl disposed opposite the guide wall. A reciprocating press has a die operably connected thereto and reciprocates to move the die to press the wire into the connector when the wire is positioned above the connector opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automated insertion of sliders on continuous zipper material. The method involves the following steps: (a) advancing a section of zipper material past a leading edge of a splitter plate that pries the zipper strips of the zipper material apart; (b) clamping a first portion of one zipper strip against one side of the splitter plate, while clamping a first portion of the other zipper strip against an opposite side of the splitter plate, the first portions of the zipper strips being disposed on an upstream side of a slider insertion zone; (c) closing a portion of the zipper comprising respective second portions of the zipper strips disposed on a downstream side of the slider insertion zone; and (d) inserting a slider onto the zipper in the slider insertion zone. A plow of the slider is disposed between respective third portions of the zipper strips.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a filament-affixed trace within an electronic device, such as a circuit board or microelectronic device. Conductive traces are affixed to the surface of a composite substrate containing filaments in a matrix bonded to an underlying solid material. The matrix is then removed, leaving the conductive traces suspended or supported by filaments. The signal intensity attenuation for filament-suspended or filament-supported signal lines is much lower than signal lines embedded in solid dielectric materials, allowing for transmission of significantly higher frequency signals within filament-suspended and filament-supported signal lines.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing multilayer ceramic substrates in accordance with a multiple formation method using a non-shrinkage process allows the multilayer ceramic substrates to be smoothly formed by dividing a sintered multilayer mother substrate, and in addition, external terminal electrodes in a preferable state can be efficiently formed. When a green composite laminate comprising shrinkage suppression layers and a green multilayer mother substrate provided therebetween is formed, through-holes are provided on dividing lines so as to divide conductors, and in addition, cut-in grooves are provided along the dividing lines. After the shrinkage suppression layers are removed from the fired composite laminate, the multilayer ceramic substrates are obtained by dividing the multilayer mother substrate along the through-holes and the cut-in grooves.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic circuit board is characterized by being constituted by bonding on a base plate of aluminum or aluminum alloy at least one of ceramic substrate boards having a conductive metal member for an electronic circuit. A method of manufacturing a metal-ceramic circuit board is characterized by comprising the steps of melting aluminum or aluminum alloy in a vacuum or inert gas atmosphere to form a molten metal, contacting one surface of a ceramic substrate board directly with the molten metal in a vacuum or inert gas atmosphere, cooling the molten metal and the ceramic substrate board to form a base plate of aluminum or aluminum alloy, which is bonded directly on the ceramic substrate board without forming any oxidizing film therebetween and bonding a conductive metal member for an electronic circuit on the ceramic substrate board by using a brazing material. The base plate has a proof stress not higher than 320 (MPa) and a thickness not smaller than 1 mm.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) integrated micro devices and acceleration sensor devices formed according to the method, the method being micromachining an array of first three-dimensional micromechanical device features in a first silicon wafer; micromachining an array of second three-dimensional micromechanical device features in a second silicon wafer, wherein the second three-dimensional micromechanical device features are configured to cooperate with the first three-dimensional micromechanical device features when joined therewith; mutually aligning the first and second arrays of device features by aligning the first and second wafers; permanently joining the first and second arrays of device features into an array of integrated micro devices as a function of permanently joining the first and second wafers into a single composite wafer; and subsequently separating the array of integral devices into individual devices each having a set of the first and second device featu

Abstract: A component mounting method recognizes reference marks on a printed circuit board and an electronic component, and uses these reference marks to determine a shift between a position of the circuit board and a position of the electronic component. This shift is corrected and then the electronic component is mounted to the printed circuit board such that electrical connecting portions of the circuit board are connected to electrical connecting portions of the electronic component. The reference marks are formed simultaneously with corresponding electrical connecting portions via a mask, such that in order to accurately position the electrical connecting portions, it is only necessary to accurately relatively position the reference marks.

Abstract: A resin filled board is manufactured by forming roughened surfaces on a conductive layer in a throughhole before it is filled with a resin, forming smooth surfaces on conductive layers on the top and bottom of the board, printing the resin using a mask having an opening at a position corresponding to the throughhole to selectively fill the resin in the throughhole, and curing the resin. In this way, the surface of the conductive layer around the throughhole is smoothed, so that hardly any of the resin remains on the surfaces near the throughhole when the surfaces of the board is mechanically polished after the resin is cured. Also, the filling resin will not fall down into the throughhole.

Abstract: A method of connecting two raceways, comprising the steps of joining respective ends of first and second raceways at a first junction area so that the ends of the first and second raceways engage and form a miter joint at the first junction area, coupling a first cover fitting over the first junction area so that a portion of the first cover fitting engages each end, respectively, of the first and second raceways, joining respective ends of third and fourth raceways at a second junction area so that the ends of the third and fourth raceways are spaced from one another at the second junction area with a curved base disposed therebetween, and coupling a second cover fitting over the second junction area so that a portion of the second cover fitting engages each end of the third and fourth raceways, respectively.

Abstract: Microelectronic contacts, such as flexible, tab-like, cantilever contacts, are provided with asperities disposed in a regular pattern. Each asperity has a sharp feature at its tip remote from the surface of the contact. As mating microelectronic elements are engaged with the contacts, a wiping action causes the sharp features of the asperities to scrape the mating element, so as to provide effective electrical interconnection and, optionally, effective metallurgical bonding between the contact and the mating element upon activation of a bonding material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming shaped surfaces of an elongate substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and second collar spaced along the substrate, wherein a cutting filament extends between the collars. The collars are selectively rotated to pass the cutting filament through the substrate and form a shaped surface. The shaped surface can include conical or frustoconical shapes.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of forming a printhead. A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, including a first silicon layer, a second silicon layer, and an oxide layer between the first silicon layer and the second silicon layer, is provided. A plurality of thin film layers is formed on a first surface of the substrate. At least one of the layers forms a plurality of ink ejection elements. Ink feed holes are formed through the thin film layers. An opening is formed in the substrate by (a) etching the first silicon layer of the SOI substrate using a wet etch to etch a trench in the first silicon layer extending to the oxide layer; (b) etching an opening in the oxide layer; and (c) etching an opening in the second silicon layer to form an ink path between a backside of the SOI substrate and a topside of the SOI substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ink discharge port of an ink jet recording head, which is provided with the ink discharge port for discharging an ink liquid droplet for adhesion thereof to a recording medium, a liquid chamber for retaining ink to be supplied to the discharge port, an ink flow path communicating with the discharge port and the liquid chamber, an energy generating element provided for a part of the ink flow path, and an ink supply port for supplying ink from outside to the liquid chamber, includes the step of processing and forming the wall face inside the ink discharge surface of the ink discharge port to a surface condition having irregularities of greater than or equal to 0.3 micrometer and less than or equal to 1 micrometer as the standard deviation value for the surface roughness thereof.

Abstract: A method for reducing seizure when a cageless ball bearing is placed in a hostile environment where foreign particles can enter the bearing, comprises removing at least one ball from a full complement of balls. In so doing, a larger circumferential gap between balls is created, thereby making it more difficult for foreign particles to become lodged between balls and seize the ball bearing.

Abstract: A package opening cutter is provided which can accurately, safely and efficiently open the package without damaging the merchandise inside and in which the cutter will not come out during use. It comprises an angle ruler, retaining portions provided at both sides of the angle ruler, a clamp body provided so as to be pushed into and pulled out of the retaining portion for clamping a cutter, and an arrangement for preventing the clamp body from coming out of the retaining portion. The arrangement for preventing the clamp body from coming out has a bolt slidably provided between the cutter retaining portions and the cutter clamp body. The bolt is operated by a knob provided on an outer surface of the cutter retaining portion.

Abstract: An auxiliary part (7) for an electric shaver, for mounting and removing accessories such as a skin-stretcher (9), a lubricator (14), etc. on and from the outer cutting member (4) of the shaver. To provide a cheap and simple part for mounting and removing accessories around and/or on a shaving head in a simple and quick manner, the auxiliary part is formed by an element (8) which at one side can be connected by snapping onto the outer cutting member (4) and at its other side has a device or structure for removably fastening one or more accessories (9, 14).

Abstract: A retractable blade utility knife includes a knife housing, a blade, a pencil housing, a pencil sharpening slot, and a rear cover. The knife may further include a rope-cutting recess and a cutting surface in a lower end and a sawing surface in an upper end of the blade. The pencil housing forms in a lower rear part of the knife housing to keep hold of a pencil. The pencil sharpening slot is connected to a conical bore and a pencil chips storage room. The rope-cutting recess facilitates rope cutting by the blade. The blade carrier carries the blade and slides along a longitudinal axis of a knife groove formed in one side of the knife housing. The rear cover of the knife includes a pencil inlet hole and a rear cover fixed switch. The rear cover is detachably coupled to a rear portion of the knife housing via the rear cover fixed switch. The rear cover includes a pencil chip storage space and a pencil chip outlet.

Abstract: A pair of scissors has a fixed handle, a fixed jaw extending from one end of the fixed handle, a movable jaw pivotable with respect to the fixed jaw, a movable handle pivoted with the fixed jaw along with the movable jaw by a common pivot, and a gear transmission mechanism. The gear transmission mechanism has a rack located at one end of the movable jaw, a drive gear rotatably mounted on the fixed jaw and engaged with the rack, and two driven gears rotatably mounted on the fixed jaw and engaged with the drive gear and the toothed edge of the movable jaw. The two driven gears are driven by the drive gear to cause the movable jaw to move toward or away from the fixed jaw.

Abstract: The invention relates to shears comprising a stationary blade (1) and a movable blade (2) which moves during the shearing movement of the shears. An operating mechanism (5) is arranged to affect a point of the pin (6) located at a distance from the movable blade (2). When the shears are being closed, a force is thus generated which also tries to pull the movable blade (2) towards and against the stationary blade (1) and to keep the blades (1, 2) in contact with each other. The operating mechanism (5) is arranged to affect the joint pin (6) through a sleeve-like part (7). The interior of the sleeve comprises two conical sections (8, 9), the narrowest point of the interior of the sleeve determining the point from which the sleeve-like part (7) affects the joint pin (6).

Abstract: A tool device for rotary knives of the type that comprises a handle associated with a tool supporting assembly and an actuation for the rotary actuation of the tool with respect to the tool supporting assembly, the tool comprising a substantially tubular coupling body that is associable with the tool supporting assembly and being provided with a coupling to the actuation, and a cutter that is rigidly associated with the body and is arranged so as to protrude substantially radially with respect to the body.

Abstract: A bow sight is comprised of at least two support structures, each support structure supporting a vertically oriented sight pin. Each support structure is adjustably attached to a mounting member that allows individual vertical adjustment of each support structure. The sight pins may be vertically aligned in an overlying manner to visually provide a single sight pin with multiple sight tips or horizontally aligned but vertically spaced to provide individually vertically adjustable sight tips.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for projecting a reference plane. The invention features emitting a light beam, splitting the light bean into two or more resulting beams, and converting the resulting beams into respective projected lines. The projected lines can be used to indicate a reference plane that substantially spans greater than 90 degrees from a reference point. The invention also features at least two lasers configured and arranged to emit a laser beam. An optical element corresponds to each laser to convert each laser beam into an output line that are projected to form only a single reference plane.

Abstract: An image forming device has plural photoreceptor drums on which a latent image is formed, wherein one of the photoreceptor drum is different diameter from the other photoreceptors. A belt in contact with the plural photoreceptor drums and plural transfer rollers press the photoreceptor drums from a side of the belt, the side being opposite to the side contacts with the photoreceptor, wherein a distance from a contact reference position. The contact reference position at which the photoreceptor contacts with the belt, to a pressed position of the transfer roller of a large-diameter photoreceptor drum is greater than that of a small-diameter photoreceptor drum.