Abstract: A paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus includes a pick-up roller for picking up paper from a paper feeding cassette and for feeding the paper to a registration roller. The registration roller registers a leading end of a sheet of paper and compensates for skew of the paper by stopping to allow the leading end of the paper to contact the registration roller to form a paper curl and maintaining the paper curl. The paper feeding device does not require a feeding roller but instead controls the rotation of the pick-up roller to form the paper curl. Therefore, the paper feeding device is compact and can be used with a compact image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An inserted bundle of paper currency is carried while being clamped by moving the clamp toward a carrying belt. The clamp is moved by transmitting a power to two arms. The power transmitted to one arm is further transmitted to the other arm through a link. The link is provided with a plurality of slits and a plurality of sensors for detecting the slits are provided. A decision is made whether the height of a pressed bundle of paper currency is acceptable or not by utilizing a variation in positional relation between the slit and the sensor incident to movement of the clamp.

Abstract: A paper taking out device includes a rubber roller which rotates in contact with a paper medium to take out the paper medium. The rubber roller is formed of a rubber material negatively electrified by sliding with the paper medium.

Abstract: A papers feeding device, comprising first and second feeding units 10 and 20 in which pickup rollers 12 and 22 are mounted on two or more independent shafts 11 and 21 disposed on the right and left sides of the device to be orthogonal to the carrying direction of papers P. The pickup rollers 10 and 20 are vertically moved independently while following up the height position of the uppermost surface of the piled papers P. The first and second feeding units 10 and 20 are connected by a plate elastic support member 70. The device also comprises a single optical sensor 72 for detecting the height position at the center of the elastic support member 70. The contact state of the pickup rollers 12 and 22 with the papers P is detected based on signals detected by the optical sensor 72.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sheet separation system are disclosed.

Abstract: An original stacking plate for supporting and stacking an original is rotatably attached to an ASF base. A fulcrum position of the original stacking plate is provided with a rotational center on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction from a fulcrum position of a pressing plate while keeping a predetermined distance from a base surface of the ASF base. Therefore, a rotational angle of the original stacking plate in association with the vertical motion of the pressing plate when the original and recording paper have been set is smaller than that of the pressing plate.

Abstract: The configuration comprises a carrier equipping an ejection plate on the front for ejecting the bundled-paper sheet material P and equipping a plurality of cutout parts, which are open in their top parts, at a predetermined interval on both the left and right sides; and a drive transmission unit being equipped by a plurality of drive rollers, each of which comprises a plurality of bosses in a predetermined interval on a single circumference around the rotation center thereof, in a predetermined interval on both the left and right sides of the bundled-paper sheet material transport path, wherein a drive force is transmitted by allowing bosses of each drive roller, which rotates by receiving a drive force from a drive source, engage in the respective cutout parts of the carrier sequentially, thereby allowing the carrier travel in the front and back directions of the bundle transport path.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a paper supply section, a feeding section, a cam, a baseplate and an arm portion. The paper supply section is withdrawably mounted at a main body of the image formation apparatus. The feeding section is provided at the image formation apparatus main body and feeds a sheet. The cam is provided at the image formation apparatus main body and rotates in conjunction with the feeding section. The baseplate is provided at the paper supply section and is urgeable the sheet toward the feeding section. The arm portion is swingably provided at the paper supply section. When the paper supply section is installed at the image formation apparatus main body, the arm portion swings with rotation of the cam together with the feeding section and, via the resilient member, the arm portion urges the baseplate toward the feeding section.

Abstract: A device for collecting printed sheets in a certain sequence astride and atop one another to form a printed product has a saddle-shaped support supplied by a sheet feeder with printed sheets. The saddle-shaped support is arranged above a conveying device transporting the printed products to a further processing step. The saddle-shaped support has a circulating traction mechanism and driving members connected to the circulating traction mechanism. The driving members act on the printed products to convey the printed products in a direction parallel to a conveying direction of the conveying device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device relating to the present invention includes: a sheet feeding roller for sending sheets out one-by-one; a sheet stacking section in which a plurality of sheets can be stacked, and which pushes a sheet against the sheet feeding roller; an upper guide member able to move between a guiding position at which, at a time of double-sided printing, the upper guide member re-feeds to the image forming section an inverted sheet which is sent-in by a sheet re-feeding section, and a withdrawn position, at which sheet feeding of the sheet stacking section is possible; and a lower guide member which is rotatable and which abuts leading ends of sheets stacked in the sheet stacking section, wherein a guide path, which guides a sheet which is re-fed at the time of double-sided printing, is formed due to the upper guide member and the lower guide member rotating interlockingly.

Abstract: A sheet discharging device includes a sheet discharging section which discharges sheets, and a sheet discharging tray including a stacking wall portion on which discharged sheets are stacked. The stacking wall portion includes a first wall portion having a first surface which becomes higher in a direction in which sheets are discharged, and a second wall portion connected to an upstream end of the first wall portion in the sheet discharging direction and having a second surface including at least one of a horizontal surface, an inclined surface having a smaller gradient than that of the first surface, and an inclined surface having a gradient opposite to that of the first surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet transport mechanism including: a sheet feeding unit; an attitude correction unit that corrects an attitude of a sheet; and a drive source; a first actuator that operates upon receipt of supply of power from a power source, when a sheet feeding command is issued, and transmits power of the drive source to the sheet feeding unit to commence driving of the sheet feeding unit; a second actuator that operates upon receipt of power from the power source and controls the attitude correction unit into an attitude correctable state, when a transported sheet has approached the attitude correction unit; and a control unit that determines an operation start timing of the first actuator, operation of the first actuator, which transports the next sheet after transport of one sheet, starting after operation of the second actuator for the one sheet has been completed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery processing apparatus comprising an alignment stage, an aligning means having an alignment member operable to align a sheet on the alignment stage and to escape to a home position during a non-alignment period, a conveying means for conveying the sheet on the alignment stage, a sheet processing means for performing a prescribed processing to the sheet on the alignment stage, a delivery portion for stacking the sheets and a stacking amount detecting means having a detection member selectively moving to a detection position and a non-detection position at a region overlapping an operation region of the alignment member to detect the stacking amount of the sheet delivered to the delivery portion.

Abstract: The present inventions are a paper skew correcting device and a bill depositing/dispensing apparatus. The paper skew correcting device comprises first and second driving rollers 21 and 22 disposed on the left and right sides of a conveying route for paper 2 and first and second driven rollers 23 and 24 with narrow contact faces placed opposite to the first and second driving rollers 21 and 22 via the conveying route. The second driving roller 22 is formed in a tapered roller with a tapered outer peripheral surface and its rotation shaft 22a is provided aslant so that the contact part of the tapered roller is almost parallel with the conveying route. The second driven roller 24, corresponding to the second driving roller 22, is laterally moved according to the skew angle of the conveyed paper 2 so as to change its contact position with the second driving roller 22 so that the feeding speed of the right side of the paper 2 can be accelerated or decelerated to correct the skew paper.

Abstract: A system and method for personalizing cards and other secure identification documents. The card personalization system and method provide improved data integrity, system reliability, and system performance. Improvements to card handling and processing within the modules, improved card transfer between modules, improvements to control of the modules, and other improvements are set forth, all of which contribute, individually and collectively, to achieving these goals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the contactless detection of laminated, flat objects, particularly sheet-like recording media. There is a galvanic separation and mechanical decoupling between the transmitter and receiver to improve detection. These measures can be further improved with correction characteristic methods.

Abstract: An apparatus feeds paper inserts or other flat products from one area to another. The apparatus is particularly useful for newspaper insert machines. A rotating gripper drum or pusher disk feeds paper products from the bottom of a stationary stack down into open moving pockets. Roller assemblies are employed to first speed up the product and then slow the product down as the product exits the feeder. In operation, the product is first quickly accelerated to a speed faster than the circumferential speed of the drum or pusher disk, to maximize feeding speed, and then is quickly decelerated to a slower speed, to prevent the product from bouncing or crumpling in the bottom of the pocket.

Abstract: A coin selection device includes a coin path portion and a photo sensor. The coin path portion is formed so as to allow a passage of a coin due to its own weight. The photo sensor includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion to detect a coin passing through the coin path portion. The light emitting portion emits light while modulating an oscillation of the light. The light receiving portion receives and demodulates the light emitted from the light emitting portion in sync with an emission of the light emitting portion. In this way, the coin selection device detects a coin passing through the coin path portion.

Abstract: The present invention includes a multi-level two or three dimensioned puzzle assembly applying multiple assembly techniques to join either a plurality of two-dimensional double or single sided pieces or a plurality of three-dimensional pieces. These pieces may be assembled in multiple levels, and joined in a mechanical or an electrical manner. In one embodiment, a plurality of two dimensional puzzle pieces may be assembled and viewed from at least two directions allowing a user to create alternative scenes. In another embodiment, a puzzle kit may include a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces, each with a different portion of a particular scene. As this kit is assembled, each section/slice of the scene is revealed and may be adaptively assembled or included and integrated into a game or contest context.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to narrating games and methods of playing narrating games. In some embodiments, the game includes a plurality of playing cards and a plurality of game boards. In some embodiments, the method includes selecting a first playing piece; telling a first part of a story; selecting a second playing piece; telling a second part of the story; hiding at least one indicium of the first and second playing pieces; and recalling the at least one hidden indicium of at least one of the first and second playing pieces. In some embodiments, the method includes a first player selecting a first playing piece; the first playing telling a first part of a story; a second player selecting a second playing piece; the second player retelling the first part of the story; and the second player telling a second part of the story.

Abstract: A game to reveal significant dates for extraordinary beings. The game comprises a game board including a time track comprising a plurality of sections distributed between a start space and an end space. A plurality of travel tokens move from the start space to the end space using means for controlling how the plurality of travel tokens progresses from the start space to the end space. As the travel tokens advance acquisition of a plurality of objects leads to revelation of the significant date for at least one extraordinary being.

Abstract: A floating poker pad is provided that may be used on both land and water. The poker pad has a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the floating poker pad has a slightly slopped central inner playing area for poker or card play and defines one or more water drainage scuppers for keeping the central inner playing area free from water build-up. Additionally, the floating poker pad has upper openings for receiving beverages and poker playing chips and defines a central opening throughout the base member for receiving an umbrella pole when placed on a patio table for use as a poker table on land.

Abstract: An underlying card game is played with an initial wager by a player on the underlying game and an optional wager on a higher-order outcome of the probabilities involved in the underlying game can be made. Specifically, the optional wager involves the likelihood of a player having the optimal initial set of cards given other cards that are ultimately involved in play of the underlying game.

Abstract: Paired playing pieces move on steps along a path of a playing area through sections representing stages in a couple relationship in response to matching couple answers on writing surfaces in response to questions on cards from a beginning step through the stages to a winning step. Two individual pieces of each paired playing piece may be separated with one of the individual pieces placed in the dog house area for a mismatch to a question card bearing a dog house insignia. Timed tasks on get out of the dog house cards when performed successfully enable a player's piece to be removed from the dog house and reconnected with the other couple members playing piece to form the paired playing piece.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal assembly used between a shaft and a housing to restrict the flow of fluid from a relatively higher pressure region in the housing to a relatively lower pressure region in the housing includes a seal runner extending radially from the shaft and having a shaft sealing surface, and a seal ring positioned around the shaft and having a sealing face surface positioned for movement toward and away from the shaft sealing surface and forming a seal gap therebetween to break down the pressure across the seal ring.

Abstract: A double lip seal for a dust excluder seal for a cylindrical reciprocating tube connected to a recreational or utility vehicle, wheel and an off-road motorcycle or bicycle. The seal includes an oil side beam generally parallel to the axis of the reciprocating members and having a spring loaded dust excluder lip for engaging the inner cylindrical tube and wherein the spring is protected from dust and dirt by an outer excluder lip that prevents the garter sprung lip from fouling. In addition the lip is designed with a negative R-value which allows the sprung lip to rotate and position the geometry of the lip to act as a dust excluder lip. The protected spring can now compensate for lip wear which enhances the service life of the seal. The seal also includes an air side beam having a second sealing lip engaging the inner cylindrical tube.

Abstract: A unitary removable barrier for installation in a cylindrical water line to selectively block the water line to passage of water therethrough. The unitary removable barrier is composed of a single piece rubber body having at least one cylindrical section sized to receive upstream and downstream pipes of the water line. A unitary rubber planar disc molded with the cylindrical section is of a circular circumference and which completely blocks the water line but which is selectively removable from the cylindrical section thus removing the barrier to the passage of the waste through the line.

Abstract: An inspection fixture, including a manifold having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for communicating with a negative pressure source for producing a vacuum within the manifold. A part collet is provided for being positioned in the inlet opening and held in place by a vacuum exerted on a downstream side of the collet. The part collet includes a part holder opening communicating with the manifold for exerting a vacuum on a downstream side of a part positioned in the part holder opening for inspection. The part collet may be quickly and accurately installed in and removed from the manifold by breaking the vacuum on the downstream side of the collet. The part may also be quickly and accurately installed in and removed from the part collet by breaking the vacuum hold on the downstream side of the part.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A binding for a snowboard or wakeboard is rotatable in a horizontal plane along the board, during use. Preferably, the binding is biased to a preset or original or home position. The biasing force is adjustable and generally is set in a range that allows movement during actual use of the board, requiring more than casual effort to change the angle but less than extreme effort to change the angle. In one embodiment, there are two arcuate channels in the bottom of a binding plate. In each channel there is a spring assembly having a central block fixed to a circular bottom plate. The block has a spring on each side, which springs are also in the channel. As a user rotates his foot in the binding, the binding plate rotates on the circular bottom plate, compressing the one of the springs in each channel.

Abstract: A dolly for moving a piano is provided and includes a base having first and second legs, with the first leg having a longitudinal centerline and the second leg being pivotally coupled to the first leg for rotation relative to the first leg. A plurality of receptacles are mounted to the base, with each of the receptacles being operatively effective for receiving a castor mounted to a leg of the piano. First and second ones of the receptacles are mounted to the first leg and spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal centerline of the first leg, with a third one of the receptacles being mounted to the second leg. A plurality of castors are mounted to the base and are operatively effective for rolling along a surface.

Abstract: A wheeled luggage device includes a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported. At least one wheel is disposed at a lower end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. A fluid displacement system is configured to extend the wheel away from the body and/or to provide the wheel with a level of suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wheelbarrow having a collapsible frame assembly. The wheelbarrow also includes a hopper and a wheel. The frame assembly includes a wheel brace assembly, a first adjustable leg assembly, a second adjustable leg assembly, a first handle member and a second handle member. The wheel brace assembly is narrow relative to the hopper. The first adjustable leg assembly and the second adjustable leg assembly are pivotally coupled to the wheel brace assembly. The first and second leg assemblies are each structured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first and second leg assemblies are structured to be closer to the centerline of the wheelbarrow, and/or frame assembly, so that the width of the legs/brace sub-assembly is relatively narrow.

Abstract: A steerable carriage apparatus for manually transporting a payload across a surface, includes a frame having a frame first end portion and a frame second end portion, also included is a first rotating element rotationally attached to the frame first end portion and forming a first contact on the surface. Additionally, an arm having a pivotal attachment to the frame second end portion, the pivotal attachment having a pivotal axis that is at an obtuse angle in relation to the surface, the pivotal attachment is operational to allow pivotal movement of the arm in relation to the frame second end portion. A second rotating element in included that is rotationally attached to the arm and forming a second contact on the surface, wherein the obtuse angle is adjacent to the second contact, with the second rotating element being steerable.

Abstract: A wheel suspension assembly for a vehicle is operable to travel across a ground surface. The wheel suspension assembly includes a first suspension member, a second suspension member, a wheel rotatably coupled to the first suspension member and a ball stud interconnecting the first and second suspension members. The ball stud includes a ball and a tapered shaft. The tapered shaft extends along a longitudinal axis. One of the first and second suspension members includes a ball socket in receipt of the ball. The other of the first and second suspension members includes a tapered bore in the receipt of the tapered shaft. The longitudinal axis of the tapered shaft is oriented substantially parallel to the ground surface.

Abstract: A wheel support knuckle and trailing arm assembly that is attached to a toe link of a vehicle suspension system. The trailing arm assembly is formed by a blade member and a reinforcement member. The wheel support knuckle defines an axle bore and includes an integrally formed upper link receptacle and an integrally formed brake caliper track. The toe link is retained on the trailing arm assembly by a clevis formed by a transverse wall formed in the blade member and a parallel transverse wall formed in the reinforcement member. An alternative embodiment discloses a one-piece trailing arm that defines a clevis for connection to the toe link between a transverse wall and a tab that extends parallel to the transverse wall. A method of making cast wheel support knuckle and stamped trailing arm assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An independent rear suspension system is provided that has a trailing arm connected between a frame rail and a wheel support knuckle. A lower control arm is connected between a frame cross member and the knuckle. The suspension system also includes an upper link that extends between the frame rail and the knuckle. The toe link and upper link are generally vertically aligned. A stabilizer bar extends between the toe link and upper link and is connected to the lower control arm outboard of the shock and spring to reduce space requirements for the suspension system forward of the wheel support knuckle. The lower control arm is elongated and attached to the frame cross member inboard of the frame rails to improve the ratio of wheel travel to shock travel.

Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.

Abstract: A folding or collapsible bicycle includes a bifurcated solid frame defining a first storage space and a second storage space. The front and rear wheels are held by pivoting forks that can be selectively moved from an operational position to a closed position in the closed position, the front wheel is disposed in the first storage space and the rear wheel is disposed in the second storage space.

Abstract: A tricycle convertible to a bicycle. The tricycle has a first wheel rotatably mounted on one end portion of a frame, and a pair of laterally spaced wheels rotatably mounted on a second end portion of the frame, wherein the laterally spaced wheels are movable, while the tricycle is in motion, between a first position with relatively wide ground-level spacing and a second position with minimal ground-level spacing. A wheel hub capable of providing adjustable wheel camber has left and right pivotally mounted axles extending laterally from the hub body, the axles each adapted to support a wheel and mounted so as to pivot vertically, and a dual camber control mechanism coupled to the axles and adapted to provide coordinated camber adjustment in the same direction for wheels on both axles. The hub has sufficient range of motion to allow the wheels to change from negative camber to positive camber, and is useful in a method of stabilizing a bicycle or the like to increase safety during rider training.

Abstract: The invention relates to the loading and unloading of a boat to and from its trailer and the need to keep the boat stabilized in the exact proper position over the trailer while the boat and trailer are removed from the water.

Abstract: A slide rail for mounting on a frame member of a tractor for supporting a fifth wheel assembly movably thereon. The slide rail includes a vertical attachment leg configured for securing the slide rail to a vertically extending wall of the frame member and a horizontal first leg joined directly to and extending from the attachment leg. A channel member having a slide channel is integrated with the first leg and configured to being positioned above a horizontal top wall of the frame member when the attachment leg is secured to the vertically extending wall of the frame rail. A rack containing a plurality of teeth may be included on the channel member. A pair of slide rails may be mounted to the frame members of a tractor and a pair of stop assemblies may be adjustably movably mounted across the ends of the slide rails.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment and signaling device for guiding a tow vehicle with a trailer hitch ball into position for coupling a trailer with a trailer tongue extending outwardly from the body of the trailer and a coupler for connection to the hitch ball at the outer end of the tongue, includes a mounting bracket to be connected to the trailer tongue; a Y-shaped guide with a leg and two arms connected to the leg at a diverging angle, the guide pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and rotatable between a first position with the arms below and on either side of the coupler and a second position with the arms of the guide stowed between the mounting bracket and the trailer body; and a signaling assembly for signaling that the tow vehicle is in correct position for connecting the trailer coupler to the hitch ball.

Abstract: In order to provide, as straightforwardly as possible, a trailer coupling comprising a ball neck which can be moved between an operating position and a rest position and has a pivot-bearing body disposed at a first end and a coupling ball disposed at a second end, also comprising a vehicle-mounted pivot-bearing unit in which the pivot-bearing body is accommodated such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis between the operating position and the rest position, and further comprising a rotation-blocking device having at least one rotation-blocking body, which can be moved in a guide direction with at least one component in the radial direction in relation to the pivot axis, it being possible for the rotation-blocking body to be engaged with, and disengaged from, a receiving space by movement in the guide direction, and having an actuating body which has a wedge surface running transversely to the guide direction, can be moved in an actuating direction and the movement of which in the actuating direction can

Abstract: Snowboard binding (1), comprising a base (2) on which a foot-gripping strap (10) is mounted, and in which strap (10) is capable of moving around a transversal axis (8) to enable strap (10) to be folded towards base (2), and in which at least part of strap (10) is capable of pivoting relative to the base to enable the said section of strap (10) to move outwards when shoes are put on, characterised in that the said section of the strap is connected to the base via a mechanism (20) which is hinged relative to the base around an axis (7) which is more or less parallel to the longitudinal middle plane of the binding, such that it enables this section of strap (10) to move outwards, said mechanism (20) also comprising a pivot hinge (8) with the said section of the strap to enable this section of the strap to pivot in a folding movement towards base (2).

Abstract: A wheeled transport device includes a body having a compartment configured to contain goods. Wheels are rotatably attached to a lower portion of the body, and a handle is attached to an upper portion of the body. The handle is configured to retract within a cavity defined by the body. An electronic device is mounted to the handle.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable airbag cushion in a compacted configuration before being inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device. The housing includes a collar formed of a rigid material for attaching the housing to a vehicle and a chute assembly formed of a flexible material and secured to the collar.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable airbag cushion in a compacted configuration before being inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device. The housing includes a collar for attaching the housing to a vehicle and a chute assembly formed of a flexible material and secured to the collar.

Abstract: A chute for receipt of a deploying air bag includes a compartment having first and second sidewalls extending laterally outwardly from a rear bag receiving aperture toward a front cover panel. The expanding volume of the chute enables a deploying air bag to outwardly expand at least partially parallel to a frangible seam in the front cover panel before the bag contacts the seam and ruptures it. As a result, the force of the bag is dispersed evenly along the seam to reduce maximum bag force exerted against the portion of the front cover panel located directly in front, or in the center, of the bag.

Abstract: A method of folding an airbag includes pre-folding an airbag in a generally geometric pattern and crush folding the airbag. The airbag is positioned flat on a first side with a first lobe lying over a second lobe. The lower corners of the lobes are tucked internally into their respective lobes or sides. The airbag is then folded twice to form a general Z shape along the side of the airbag. The airbag is then crush folded.