Abstract: Forward and backward movement apparatus for main body of sewing machine according to this invention comprises, in sewing machine comprising Main Body movable forward and backward and supported on both sides of a Base and Heads movable left and right and supported on the Main Body; Frame mounted on the Base; Timing Gears installed in the front and rear Fixed Frame of the Frame in multiple rows; Connecting Shat which connects Timing Gears beneath Front Fixed Frame; Forward and Backward Movement Frames is movable forward and backward on the Frame and connected to the Main Body; Rollers are installed in the Forward and Backward Movement Frames in multiple rows to correspond to the Timing Gears; Timing Belt which zigzags through Timing Gear and Roller and Timing Gear and Roller, and both ends of which are connected to the top of Front and Rear Fixed Frames; and electric motor which drives the Connecting Shat in forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: An open eye needle including an elongated portion, a tip portion and an open eye portion. The tip portion is attached to the elongated portion. The open eye portion is attached to the elongated portion. The open eye portion includes a tongue portion, an eye region and a channel. The eye region is defined by the tongue portion. The channel extends around the tongue portion and intersects the eye portion. The channel includes a first channel portion and a second channel portion that extends from the first channel portion. The first channel portion is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the second channel portion. The second channel portion is in communication with the eye region.

Abstract: A method is described using paired templates for simplifying the design and construction of a hexagon based quilt top. This method overcomes the inherent difficulty in traditional hexagon quilting. In order to sew individual hexagons together and have them lie in a plane, the seam that connects each edge must stop short of running the entire length of that edge by the width of the seam on the adjacent edge at each end. A method is described that allows for continuous stitch lines without having to precisely start and stop stitching. It employs a shape within a shape concept, allowing a hexagon to fit inside a triangle which lends itself to sewing together using easier stitching techniques. The hexagon is sized to precisely fit inside an equilateral triangle and the tips of the triangles that fall outside of the hexagon shape, themselves come together to form a hexagon when the triangles are joined together.

Abstract: A removable protective nose cover for a submersible structure having a nose section is disclosed. The removable protective nose cover can include a plurality of shell members, each of the shell members having a forward end and an aft end. Each shell member can also be dimensioned to fit adjacent to and around the nose section of the submersible structure and thereby form a protective shell. A central nose member having a locking member can also be included, the locking member being operable to attach the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members. The aft ends of the shell members can be attached to each other using a plurality of attachment clips such that the attachment of the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members and the attachment of the adjacent aft ends of the shell members form the removable protective nose cover for the submersible structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pontoon boat. The pontoon boat includes a deck, a pair of pontoons, an elongated channel member and a boat. The pair of pontoons is disposed on a water side portion of the deck for supporting the deck above a water level. The elongated channel member is disposed on the water side portion of the deck between the pair of pontoons. The elongated channel member is configured to have longitudinal sliding movement with respect to the water side portion of the deck. The boat includes a body portion and a pair of lip portions. The pair of lip portions is configured to be slidingly received in the elongated channel member for removably securing the boat to the water side portion of the deck.

Abstract: A boat docking unit for small boats secures a boat to a dock structure without use of ropes, anchors or fenders. The unit has a pair of docking arms each having an elongated tubular housing, a telescoping member capable of telescoping movement within the housing. A pair of compression springs mounted in the housing in contact with the telescoping member dampens the wave force so as to restrict yaw of the boat docked at the pier. The docking arms pivotally secure the boat to the dock structure allowing a limited pitch motion of the boat.

Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

Abstract: An inflatable rubber boat includes a flat bottom fabric member formed of a fabric having a front V-cut and two lateral sides, the two border edges of the front V-cut being seamed together to form a forwardly upwardly curved front end edge of the flat bottom fabric member, an elongated main inflatable airbag member fastened to the forwardly upwardly curved front end edge and two lateral sides of the flat bottom fabric member, a floorboard member having a body fitting over the flat bottom fabric member and a pointed arch-shaped rib obliquely upwardly extended from the front side of the body and fastened to the contained angle defined between the upwardly curved front end edge of the flat bottom fabric member and the elongated main inflatable airbag member, and a supplementary inflatable airbag member longitudinally set between the floorboard member and the flat bottom fabric member and inflated to stretch the flat bottom fabric member into shape.

Abstract: The addition of flares to a kayak hull at or above the hulls shear/water line will increase the kayak's stability in rough water conditions by providing secondary stability by increasing the effective hull cross section of the kayak when waves interact with the flares. The location of the flares above the shear/water line will also keep the hull cross section to a minimum for easier paddling in calm water conditions.

Abstract: A removable console for a boat and a boat including such a removable console are disclosed. The removable console is adapted to be positioned before a passenger seating position in the boat to shield the passenger position from wind. The connection between the deck of the boat and the removable console is fastenerless, so as to facilitate easy installation and replacement. The console itself may be enclosed, with both upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: An extendable boat ladder is coupled to elongated slidable brackets on a boat deck through sleeve members which are pivotally attached to about the outer ends of the brackets so that the ladder can be slidably stored on the boat deck and slidably moved to the edge of the boat deck and deployed by being swung downward into or toward the water for use.

Abstract: The present invention is provided to suppress an increase of communication cost, immediately detect theft and illegal use of a moving object, and immediately deal with the theft and illegal use. A moving object monitoring device 10 is installed in a moving object 1, and transmits moving object information 15 of the moving object 1 to a managing server 4 which controls the moving object 1. The moving object monitoring device 10 includes a control unit 11 which transmits the moving object information 15 such that a transmission interval is shorter when a startup lock function for prohibiting the startup of the moving object is on than a transmission interval when the startup lock function is deactivated.

Abstract: A detectable warning tile system has a tile base with an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a plurality of upward projections therefrom. The tile base has two side edges for alignment with corresponding side edges of other tiles, and front and rear edges. An area of the upper surface of the tile base is formed free of the detectable warnings and may include a trough into or over which a replaceable tile section may be placed. The tile base and/or replaceable tile section may be configured to receive one or more individually-installable detectable warnings.

Abstract: There is provided a blast occurrence apparatus for indicating the occurrence of a significant and potentially injury causing blast overpressure. The apparatus comprises a base, a housing and blast indication means to provide a visual indication that a significant blast has occurred. A blast indication means may be implemented using a rupturable membrane or a layer of microencapsulated paint or dye material, dimensioned to rupture at the desired overpressure level. The device is configured to withstand acceleration or shock resulting from impact.

Abstract: A single-crystal manufacturing apparatus comprises a chamber, a crucible in the chamber, a heater arranged around the crucible, a lifting mechanism for lifting a seed crystal, and a guide passage for the seed crystal and a grown single crystal. In the single-crystal manufacturing apparatus, a material polycrystal contained the crucible is melted by a heater, and the seed crystal is made to contact the molten polycrystal and is lifted. The single-crystal manufacturing apparatus comprises a cylindrical quartz tube having a curved bottom portion, and a dome-shaped quartz plate. The curved bottom portion faces the crucible from the upper portion of the chamber through the guide passage. The quartz plate is arranged to enclose the quartz tube. The quartz tube has a reflecting structure for reflecting a heat ray from at least its bottom portion whereas the quartz plate has a reflecting structure for reflecting the heat ray to the crucible.

Abstract: A III-nitride crystal growth method that enables growing large-scale crystal under a liquid-phase technique is made available. The present III-nitride crystal growth method is a method of growing III-nitride crystal (10) by a liquid-phase technique, and is provided with: a step of preparing a III-nitride crystal substrate (1) having the same chemical composition as the III-nitride crystal (10), and having a thickness of not less than 0.5 mm; and a step of contacting onto a major surface (1m) of the III-nitride crystal substrate (1) a solution in which a nitrogen-containing gas (5) is dissolved in a solvent (3) that includes a Group-III metal, to grow III-nitride crystal (10) onto the major surface (1m).

Abstract: A crystal manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal includes a crucible that holds a mixed molten liquid including an alkali metal and a group III metal; a reaction vessel accommodating the crucible in the reaction vessel; a heating device that heats the crucible with the reaction vessel; a holding vessel having a lid that is capable of opening and closing, accommodating the reaction vessel and the heating device in the holding vessel; a sealed vessel accommodating the holding vessel in the sealed vessel, having an operating device that enables opening the lid of the holding vessel for supplying source materials into the crucible and taking out a manufactured GaN crystal under a sealed condition, and closing the lid of the holding vessel that is sealed in the sealed vessel, the sealed vessel including an inert gas atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere; and a gas supplying device for supplying a nitrogen gas to the mixed molten liquid through each of the vessels.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for three-dimensional GaN epitaxial structure comprises a disposing step, in which a substrate of LiAlO2 and a source metal of Ga are disposed inside an vacuum chamber. An exposing step is importing N ions in plasma state and generated by a nitrogen source into the chamber. A heating step is heating up the source metal to generate Ga vapor. A growing step is forming a three-dimensional GaN epitaxial structure with hexagonal micropyramid or hexagonal rod having a broadened disk-like surface on the substrate by reaction between the Ga vapor and the plasma state of N ions.

Abstract: A thin-film single crystal growing method includes preparing a substrate, irradiating an excitation beam on a metallic target made of a pure metal or an alloy in a predetermined atmosphere, and combining chemical species including any of atoms, molecules, and ions released from the metallic target by irradiation of the excitation beam with atoms contained in the predetermined atmosphere to form a thin film on the substrate.

Abstract: An intermittent coating member 10 delivers resin intermittently from a coating die 20 onto a length of base film 41 fed forth from a feeding member 40 to form intermittent coats of a coating film 43 on the base film 41. The coating film 43 is transferred to a transfer member 44 that actuates in synchronism with the coating action for the coating film 43, and is given a transfer by moulds 45 fixed on a mould roll 46. After the transfer, the coating film 43 is cured by an ultraviolet irradiation device 48 and wound up by a winding member 49.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for conducting coating by discharging liquid droplets onto a substrate, is provided with a discharging head having an external terminal to receive control signals and a plurality of nozzles to discharge liquid droplets in response to the control signals; a drive control board to output the control signals to the discharging head; a cable to transmit the control signals from the drive control board to the discharging head; a relay board having a first terminal to form a first joint section to joint with the external terminal of the discharging head and a second terminal to form a second joint section to joint with the cable; and an intercepting member to intercept contact between the first joint section and outside air and to intercept contact between the second joint section and outside air.

Abstract: Intended is to enable an electrostatic coating apparatus including a plurality of needle electrodes formed in an annular shape and having a blot preventing function, to prevent the generation of a spark discharge reliably, in case an arbitrary needle electrode approaches an earth element, and to keep the intensity of a generated electrostatic field properly. A coating gun comprises a blot preventing device including a ring-shaped electrode unit having a plurality of needle electrodes protruding radially at a substantially equal spacing radially outward from an annular base member, and a high-voltage generator for applying a high voltage to the electrode unit. The needle electrodes are connected in parallel with the high-voltage generator through individual resistors, block-by-block resistors and built-in resistors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. In one embodiment, a showerhead assembly is provided which includes a body having a centralized channel extending through upper and lower portions of the body and extending parallel to a central axis of the body. The showerhead assembly contains an optional diffusion plate having a first plurality of holes and disposed within the centralized channel, an upper tube plate having a second plurality of holes and disposed within the centralized channel below the diffusion plate, a lower tube plate having a third plurality of holes and disposed within the centralized channel below the upper tube plate, and a plurality of tubes extending from the upper tube plate to the lower tube plate. Each tube is coupled to and in fluid communication with individual holes of the upper and lower tube plates.

Abstract: Provided is a vapor phase epitaxy apparatus for a III nitride semiconductor, including a susceptor for holding a substrate, an opposite face of the susceptor, a heater for heating the substrate, a raw material gas-introducing portion provided at the central portion of the susceptor, and a reactor formed of a gap between the susceptor and the opposite face of the susceptor, in which a distance between the installed substrate and the opposite face of the susceptor is extremely narrow, and a constitution through which a coolant is flown is provided for the opposite face of the susceptor. The vapor phase epitaxy apparatus further includes, on the opposite face of the susceptor, a fine porous portion for ejecting an inert gas toward the inside of the reactor and a constitution for supplying the inert gas to the fine porous portion.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus that can suppress formation of an Si thin film on the inner wall of a film-forming gas supply nozzle. The substrate processing apparatus comprises a process chamber configured to process a substrate, a heating member configured to heat the substrate, a coating gas supply member including a coating gas supply nozzle configured to supply coating gas into the process chamber, a film-forming gas supply member including a film-forming gas supply nozzle supplying film-forming gas into the process chamber, and a control unit configured to control the heating member, the coating gas supply member, and the film-forming gas supply member. The control unit executes a control such that the coating gas supply nozzle supplies the coating gas to coat a quartz member in the process chamber and the film-forming gas supply nozzle supplies the film-forming gas to form an epitaxial film on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing polycrystalline silicon whereby raw-material gas is supplied to one or more heated silicon seed rods provided vertically in a reactor so as to deposit the polycrystalline silicon on a surface of the silicon seed rod, having a seed rod holding member, made of conductive material, having a holding hole in which a lower end of the silicon seed rod is inserted, the holding hole having a horizontal cross-sectional shape with at least two corners, and the holding member having a screw hole extending from the outer surface of the seed rod holding member to at least the holding hole and formed at the location of at least two corners of the holding hole; and a fixing screw which fixes the silicon seed rod and is threaded through at least one of the screw holes.

Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate by supplying a reaction gas to an upper surface of the substrate in a vacuum chamber includes a susceptor provided in the vacuum chamber, wherein substrate receiving areas are formed along a circle whose center lies in a center portion of the susceptor; a main gas supplying portion provided opposing the susceptor in order to supply the reaction gas to the substrate receiving areas of the susceptor; a compensation gas supplying portion configured to supply the reaction gas to an upper surface of the susceptor in order to compensate for concentration of the reaction gas supplied from the main gas supplying portion along a radius direction of the susceptor; and a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the susceptor relative to the main gas supplying portion and the compensation gas supplying portion around the center portion of the susceptor.

Abstract: Dear Sir or Madam: If this invention is used then the kitchen area of the house will be more comfortable for cats to use and the area will look like another furnishing of the home. The pets will be able to use the litter and eat their meals and sit on top of the invention and the invention would not disturb the other furnishings.

Abstract: An animal feeder which is adapted to simultaneously dispense feed and liquid onto a feed material receiving member.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing animals, including birds, to forage food from a foraging holes disposed on said platform. Preferably the holes are covered with a frangible sheet that has to be broken by the animal or bird to access the food in the foraging holes. The sheet is made of a material that hides the content of the holes.

Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to attach to the liquid container and adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid. The liquid tray includes a bottom port passing through the liquid tray and vertically aligned with the bottom opening, and a valve mechanism adapted to selectively couple the bottom port of the liquid tray to the bottom opening for filling purposes, or to close the bottom port and couple the bottom opening to the liquid tray for supplying liquid from the liquid container to the liquid tray.

Abstract: An animal containment apparatus (10) adapted to be mounted to a fencing arrangement (32) or building structure, the apparatus (10) including an elongated prop member (14), pivotally supported (34) about a length of the fence (32) or building structure, having an outer peripheral edge separated by intermittent ingresses along the length of the prop member (14), such that when the paw (30) of an animal (28) makes contact with the prop member (14), the paw engages an ingress, causing the prop member to rotate and preventing any leverage for the animal (28) to climb or scale over the fence (32) or building.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an animal diaper comprises a main body having an upper end, a lower end, an upper portion positioned towards the upper end, a lower portion positioned towards the lower end, an absorbent portion, a tail opening, and an axis extending between the upper and lower ends. The animal diaper also includes first members extending from the lower portion for coupling to the upper portion and second members extending from the lower portion between the first members and the lower end, distal ends of the second members having cooperating fasteners for coupling together. In addition, a spacing between the first and the second members along a wearing animal's back is less than a width of one of the second members measured in a direction parallel to the axis when the wearing animal is standing, and the spacing increases as the wearing animal moves towards a sitting position.

Abstract: In a single can-type composite heat source machine including a single can body (2) including a first combustion section (3-1) having a first burner (4-1) and a hot water supplying first main heat exchanger (5-1) located above the first burner (4-1), and a second combustion section (3-2) having a second burner (4-2) and a second main heat exchanger (5-2) located above the second burner (4-2) and used for a purpose other than hot water supply, the first combustion section (3-1) and the second combustion section (3-2) being partitioned from each other by a partition wall (2a) and juxtaposed in a lateral direction, the machine including a first auxiliary heat exchanger (11-1) and a second auxiliary heat exchanger (11-2) both of a latent heat recovery type connected to upstream sides of the first main heat exchanger and the second main heat exchanger, respectively, an exhaust system can be miniaturized and simplified in spite of provision of the auxiliary heat exchangers.

Abstract: An integrated water coil air heater and economizer arrangement for a boiler has a feedwater inlet for supplying feedwater to the boiler, and conduits and a valve for splitting the feedwater from the inlet into a first partial lower temperature, lower mass flow stream, and a second partial higher temperature, higher flow stream. A water coil air heater for passage of air to be heated for the boiler contains at least one heat transfer loop in heat transfer relationship with the air, the heat transfer loop of the water coil air heater being connected to receive the first partial stream. An economizer for passage of flue gas to be cooled for the boiler contains at least one heat transfer loop in heat transfer relationship with the flue gas, the heat transfer loop of the economizer being connected to the heat transfer loop of the water coil air heater for receiving the first partial stream from the water coil air heater.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes first and second cylinder assemblies each to repeatedly carry out combustion cycle including intake, compression, combustion with expansion, and exhaust processes. In a surcharging system of the invention, the first cylinder assembly is coupled to the second cylinder assembly in gaseous communication to apply a charge of exhaust gas produced from a first combustion cycle of the first cylinder assembly to a compression process of a second combustion cycle of the second cylinder assembly. In a supraignition system of the invention, the first cylinder assembly is coupled to the second cylinder assembly in gaseous communication to apply a charge of ignition gas produced from a first combustion cycle of the first cylinder assembly to a compression process of a second combustion cycle of the second cylinder assembly. Buffer vessels coupled in gaseous communication with corresponding cylinder assemblies are also used in surcharging and supraignition processes.

Abstract: A fuel consumption reduction apparatus is implemented in an automobile and utilizes a magnetic device to magnetize fuel oil within a fuel pipe. Besides, the apparatus also utilizes an electrolytic device to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen gases. Then, the oxygen gas generated from the electrolytic device and magnetized fuel oil are introduced into an engine. Because the oxygen gas and the magnetized fuel oil respectively have opposite charges, fuel combustion is much more perfect and fast. Then, power from fuel combustion is significantly increased. The present invention brings a less damage against environment in addition to energy saving and power increase.

Abstract: A heat exchanging device (10) and method for boosting fuel economy in the internal combustion engines of motor vehicles uses a shell and tube structure whereby that portion of the fuel line, i.e. an inner structure (20), that is downstream from the fuel line filter (204), the fuel pump (202) and the fuel tank (200), and upstream from the fuel injector (206) or carburetor, is placed in heat-exchanging relationship with a portion of the cooling system, i.e. an outer structure (40), that is downstream from the engine block (102) and upstream of the heater core (114) of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A full time lean air fuel mixture running spark ignited air cooled aircraft piston engine. In one embodiment, a drop-in substitution is provided for an equivalent make, model, and engine size, wherein the new, rebuilt, or reconfigured engine provides as much or more horsepower when compared to the original engine, but runs at a lean air fuel ratio condition during normal operating modes, including takeoff, climb, and cruise, thus saving significantly on fuel. In yet another embodiment, a drop-in substitution having a somewhat larger cylinder displacement volume may be provided to attain equivalent or enhanced maximum horsepower while operating at lean air fuel ratios. Enhanced engine life may be anticipated, since cylinder head temperatures (CHTs) may be reduced, compared to engines using rich air fuel ratios for climb and cruise conditions. Aircraft using such engines are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine is provided that includes at least one heat exchanger through which air can pass, at least one axial fan that is located behind the at least one heat exchanger in a direction of air flow and has a circumferential ring with which ring is associated a stationary baffle ring, and a fan shroud adjoining the at least one heat exchanger. At least one motion compensating element with a sealing function is provided between the baffle ring and the at least one fan shroud.

Abstract: A switchable component (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, with a housing (2) in whose borehole (3) an inner element (4) is held so that it can move telescopically. At least one coupling piston (7) guided by an anti-rotation locking device (6) is located in a radial borehole (5) of the inner element (4) in a decoupled case, with a section (10) that is flattened in some areas being provided on the coupling piston on one axial side (9) starting from its outer end (8). The borehole (3) of the housing (2) has a window (11) with a complementary engagement surface (12) against which, in a coupled case, the coupling piston (7) can be displaced with its flattened section (10) when passing through the cam base circle. An edge (13) between the outer end (8) and the flattened section (10) of the coupling piston (7) is provided with a bevel (14) that is a surface section of an ellipsoid whose longitudinal axis runs parallel to the flattened section (10).

Abstract: A tappet (1), either for a high-pressure fuel pump or for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, with a housing (2) whose driven side (3) used for a contact of a tappet-following part forms a contact on a bottom side (4) of a bridge part (6) projecting through an inner casing (5) of the housing (2). An anti-rotation locking device (10) projects past the outer casing (8) of the housing with a first cylinder section (9) and sits in a window (7) of the housing (2), with this anti-rotation locking device (10) being provided as a cylindrical element, and tab-like projections (13) project from peripheral walls (11) of the window (7) and the anti-rotation locking device (10), standing “loose” in the window (7), snaps behind these projections.

Abstract: An alumina sintered body comprises alumina crystals as a main phase and a grain boundary phase made up of crystalline Y2Si2O7 and amorphous SiO2 at grain boundaries of the alumina crystals wherein when the alumina sintered body is taken as 100 wt %, the high melting phase is present in the range of from 0.1 wt % to 15 wt %. There is also provided a method for preparing the alumina sintered body, which method comprising a first mixing step P1 of mixing, at least, a yttria powder having an average particle size of 60 to 100 nm and a silica powder having a given average particle size to provide a mixed slurry and a second mixing step of further mixing an alumina powder having an average particle size of 0.5 to 1.0 ?m in the mixed slurry.

Abstract: A vehicle power unit including a speed reducing gear train including a starter driven gear, a starting one-way clutch interposed between the starter driven gear and a crankshaft. The speed reducing gear train and the starting one-way clutch are provided between a starter motor and the crankshaft. A transmission includes gear trains for a plurality of gear speeds wherein the gear trains are provided between a main shaft and a counter shaft. A hybrid type configuration is possible wherein the starter motor produces power for driving the vehicle and to impart a drive assisting force. The starter motor can be changed over between a normal rotational operation and a reverse rotational operation. A power transmission idle gear is interposed between the starter driven gear and a power transmitting gear through a running one-way clutch for permitting power transmission to the side of the main shaft.

Abstract: In a system installed in a vehicle, an automatic stop of an engine is carried out when an engine automatic stop condition is met during the vehicle being decelerated. The automatically stopped engine is restarted when an engine restart condition is met before the vehicle is stopped. A vehicle speed obtaining unit obtains a vehicle speed, and a threshold determining unit determines a threshold based on a predetermined-timing value of the vehicle speed. The predetermined-timing value is obtained at a predetermined timing when or after the engine restart condition is met. The threshold is used to determine whether to enable a next automatic stop of the engine. A stop enabling unit enables the next automatic stop of the engine when the speed of the vehicle obtained after the engine restart condition is met is equal to or higher than the threshold.

Abstract: A speed reducing gear train includes a starter driven gear, a starting one-way clutch interposed between the starter driven gear and a crankshaft for permitting power transmission from the starter driven gear to the side of the crankshaft. The speed reducing gear train and the starting one-way clutch being provided between a starter motor and the crankshaft with a transmission accommodated in a crankcase. The transmission includes gear trains for selectively establishing a plurality of gear speeds with the gear trains being between a main shaft and a counter shaft. The starter motor can produce power for driving the vehicle and to impart a drive assisting force. A power transmitting gear meshing with the starter driven gear is relatively rotatably mounted on the main shaft through a running one-way clutch permitting power transmission from the power transmitting gear to the side of the main shaft.

Abstract: There is provided an air intake duct structure comprising a first outer air intake duct member, a second outer air intake duct member, and an inner air intake duct member. The first outer air intake duct member is fastened with the inner air intake duct member by a first fastening device, and the second outer air intake duct member is fastened with the inner air intake duct member by a second fastening device to construct an integrally assembled structure. The fastened first outer air intake duct member and the inner air intake duct member constitute a first air intake duct, and the fastened second outer air intake duct member and the inner air intake duct member constitute a second air intake duct. The first and second air intake ducts allow air to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An intake tube for an air intake system of a vehicle is provided. The air intake system is located upstream of an intake manifold and includes an intake enclosure and an air precleaner. The intake tube directs a flow of air from the intake enclosure to the air precleaner. The intake tube comprises a first end section, a second end section and a curved section. The first end section is connected to the intake enclosure and has a first longitudinal axis. An inner surface of the first end section defines a first section air passage. The second end section is connected to the air precleaner and has a second longitudinal axis. The inner surface of the second end section defines a second section air passage. The curved section is located between the first and second end sections. The curved section has a third longitudinal axis. An inner surface of the curved section defines a curved air passage. The curved section includes a compressed portion having a minor dimension and a major dimension.

Abstract: A cylinder head has at least three cylinders each coupled to at least one exhaust port, individual exhaust ducts coupled to each of the exhaust ports, and a combined exhaust duct coupling all individual exhaust ducts. The combined exhaust duct emerges from the cylinder head at a location displaced longitudinally from a center of the cylinder head.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine piston includes a piston crown, a thrust-side skirt, an anti-thrust-side skirt, a first apron, and a second apron. The first and second aprons are connected to the thrust-side and anti-thrust-side skirts through connecting sections. Each connecting section has a thickness that gradually increases as followed from a proximal longitudinal end to a distal longitudinal end, wherein the proximal longitudinal end is closer to the piston crown, and the distal longitudinal end is closer to a distal longitudinal end of a corresponding one of the thrust-side and anti-thrust-side skirts.