Abstract: A system includes a lift chair having sensors embedded therein to determine various factors such as the amount of pressure exerted in various portions of the chair, the activity level of the chair user, whether the chair is occupied and which user is currently occupying the chair, and how much assistance the chair provides the user. The information detected by the sensors can be transmitted via the Internet, for example, to a third party device, such as a doctor's personal computer, which is also hooked up to the internet and is capable of receiving periodic updates to monitor use of the chair or modify the rules that govern the use of the chair. The user can override the pre-set rules for use of the chair by using an override button on a user control device.

Abstract: A chair is provided comprising a seat assembly including a seat back and a seat bottom and a support frame including a left leg assembly and right leg assembly connected by a transverse support member. The seat back is pivotably connected to each of the leg assemblies such that an upper portion of the seat back pivots in relation to the leg assemblies between a first seat back position and a second seat back position. The seat bottom is rotatable in relation to the seat back between an upright position and a horizontal position. The seat bottom is slidingly engaged with the leg assemblies such that pivoting of the seat backward from the first seat back position to the second seat back position causes the seat bottom to slide forward from a first seat bottom position to a second seat bottom position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat main body, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body between a forwardly facing position and a laterally facing position, a sliding mechanism, and a rotation locking mechanism. The rotation locking mechanism is arranged and constructed to prevent the seat main body from rotating when the seat main body is in a laterally facing position. The rotation locking mechanism includes a first engagement portion, a second engagement portion, and a lock releasing portion. The second engagement portion is capable of moving between a condition in which it does not engage the first engagement portion and a position in which it engages the first engagement portion when the seat main body is in the laterally facing position. The lock releasing portion is arranged and constructed to be engaged with and disengaged from the second engagement portion depending upon the sliding motion of the sliding mechanism.

Abstract: A reclining adjuster has a lower bracket fixed to a seat cushion; an upper bracket fixed to a seatback and connected to the lower bracket so as to be rotatable about a shaft; a lock mechanism capable of having a locked state where rotation of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket is locked and a released state where the lock is released; and an emergency lock mechanism for preventing relative rotation between the lock mechanism and the upper bracket when it occurs. In the emergency lock mechanism, when a cam projection of an outer toothed ring gear is pressed in the circumferential direction by a cam pin of a disk member by the relative rotation therebetween, the outer toothed ring gear meshes with both inner teeth of the lower bracket and inner teeth of the upper bracket.

Abstract: An armrest for motor vehicles, especially a center armrest, is provided that includes an upper part and a lower part. These two parts of the armrest are connected to each other by two articulation arrangements. Each of the articulation arrangements has two degrees of freedom, namely a rotational axis and a translational axis. In addition, locking devices are associated with each articulation arrangement, in order to lock the articulation arrangement in arbitrary translational positions.

Abstract: Footrests and spa apparatuses are provided. In this regard, a representative footrest, among others, includes a first structure and a second structure. The first structure has a top wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall has a pin attached on the outer surface of the first sidewall. The second sidewall has a protrusion on the inner surface of the second sidewall. The second structure is coupled to the first structure via a rod. The second structure has a bottom wall, a first sidewall, and second sidewall. The first sidewall has a pin attached on the outer surface of the first sidewall of the second structure. The second sidewall of the second structure having a protrusion on the inner surface of the second sidewall of the second structure. The pin of at least one of the first sidewalls of the first and second structures is configured to engage the protrusion of at least one of the second sidewalls of the first and second structures.

Abstract: A shingled thin seat back for a vehicle having a generally centrally-located panel which is movable in the rearward direction when the seat is occupied and which is immovable in the forward direction when folded flat to accept a load. The seat back includes a support structure which provides support to the movable panel. The support structure includes at least one edge and the panel includes at least one edge. The panel is movable from a first position where the edge of the support structure and the edge of the panel are in overlapping contact (creating a shingled arrangement) to a second position where the edge of the support structure and the edge of the panel are not in contact with one another but instead are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a backrest member and a seat bottom subassembly connected to the backrest member. The seat bottom subassembly has a cushion pan comprising a polymeric material, a cushion comprising a foam material supported on the cushion pan, and a trim layer comprising a fabric material disposed over the cushion. The cushion pan defines a plurality of integral trim attachment features. The trim layer is attached to the cushion pan through engagement with the trim attachment features.

Abstract: A hydraulic system useful in combination with a hoist for raising or lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame, including safely and controllably lowering said truck bed to said truck frame by gravity alone, is provided.

Abstract: A floor covering removal machine for removing a floor covering that is secured to a floor that includes a drive frame formed with an underside caster assembly, and feed, ejection, and oppositely arranged cutter sides. A variable speed, reversible, motorized drum is mounted about the frame and cooperates with a gripping idler roller that is releasably biased toward the drum to establish a grip interface which conveys the floor covering from the feed to the ejection sides. In operation, the floor covering is pulled through the grip interface and thereby removed from the floor. The machine also may include a collapsible guide handle extending from the drive frame and a motor speed control. Optional retractable floor covering cutters are included that are deployable in a floor contour-following configuration. An optional alignment laser pointer is mounted on the frame for alignment during operation.

Abstract: A rotatable tool has a tool body that is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, an enlarged cutting head, and a rearwardly extending shank. The shank joins the enlarged cutting head at an annular flange having an annular inner portion contiguous with the forward end of the shank and an annular outer portion contiguous with the outer circumference of the enlarged cutting head. The annular flange is not planar. Instead, the annular inner portion of the flange is positioned axially forward of the annular outer portion.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly has a vehicle wheel with a number of angularly spaced mounting bolt receiving apertures, a wheel hub with axially inboard and outboard surfaces and a plurality of radially outwardly protruding bosses interspersed with clearance spaces and a disc brake rotor having a like plurality of radially inwardly protruding bosses interspersed with clearance spaces. A first set of threaded fasteners couple the wheel to the outboard surface of the hub and a second set of threaded fasteners couple the rotor to the inboard surface of the hub. Each hub boss includes an axial depression in the region of the bore for receiving one of the second set of threaded fasteners allowing a head of the threaded fastener to be axially recessed inboard of the wheel receiving portion of the outboard hub surface.

Abstract: A loose terrain traction assist device for wheeled vehicles includes a generally frusto-conical structure having a proximal portion with a diameter smaller than an overall diameter of a tire of a vehicle, a distal portion that extends outwardly from the wheel, and an outer surface defined between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The traction assist device also includes an attachment arrangement for releasably coupling the frusto-conical structure to a wheel assembly of the vehicle, such that at least part of the frusto-conical structure is adapted to engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle in loose terrain and to not engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle on normal terrain.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump unit that includes a pump and an internal reservoir that is mountable as a unit to a towed vehicle. The hydraulic pump unit can be assembled in a plurality of configurations such that an inlet to the pump is located at a relatively low point within the internal reservoir depending on the orientation in which the unit is mounted to the towed vehicle. Thus, the power unit can be adapted for use in a plurality of applications thereby making the unit versatile.

Abstract: An extreme emergency braking system including at least two brake modules, a pedal feel emulator in communication with at least one of the brake modules by way of a first communication line, an electric park brake switch assembly in communication with the brake modules by at least a second communication line, and an electric circuit adapted to supply at least a first voltage to a first one of the brake modules and a second voltage to a second one of the brake modules, the supplied voltages being indicative of a state of the switch assembly, wherein the first communication line is independent of the second communication line.

Abstract: The invention provides an electro-mechanical brake system which can keep a stop state even if a malfunction is generated in a parking brake, and an electro-mechanical brake apparatus used for the electro-mechanical brake system. An electro-mechanical brake actuator presses a brake pad to a disc rotor so as to independently brake a braking force of each of wheels. A parking brake is constituted by a pawl portion attached to a motor of a motor driving the electro-mechanical actuator and a latch. A main controller detects a failure of the parking brake on the basis of a motor displacement at a time of reducing a motor current, and increases the pressing force in the remaining normal parking brake in the case that the parking brake failure in one wheel or more is detected.

Abstract: An endless track chairs for use with a track-type vehicle comprises a cartridge joined to the links of first and second link sets for relative rotation between the link sets.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser which may include a housing having a bottom support structure, a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom support structure, and a front wall hinged adjacent its bottom edge to the bottom support structure at a first side so as to swing outwardly and downwardly. The lottery ticket dispenser may also include a transparent cover hinged to the bottom support structure that includes a space shaped to contain a plurality of arrays of tickets in strips.

Abstract: An inventory storage system may include a frame defining a plurality of storage levels and a first exterior sleeve supported by one of the storage levels. The first exterior sleeve may include a bottom wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top wall. The inventory storage system may further include a first interior sleeve having an opening and disposed within the first exterior sleeve such that the first interior sleeve abuts at least one of the bottom wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the top wall. The inventory storage system may also include a second interior sleeve disposed within the first exterior sleeve, the first interior sleeve abutting the first interior sleeve and at least one of the bottom wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the top wall.

Abstract: A drawer interlocking mechanism apparatus is applied where a drawer is installed inside an article. A secured plate of the present apparatus is secured at the lateral portion of the article and a sliding plate is connected the present apparatus at the lateral side of the drawer correspondingly to have the sliding plate move on the secured plate indirectly to produce the opening or closing function of the drawer. The sliding plate of the interlocking structure is installed on a single side or both sides of the drawer and also installed at a plurality of drawers in the same way. By means of a preset pull cord of the interlocking structure, a plurality of drawers are connected in series to lock the other drawers synchronously when one of drawers is opened.

Abstract: An injection/ejection mechanism is provided for mounting and dismounting of a unit in a chassis. The mechanism includes a drive screw that cooperates with a threaded barrel, the threaded barrel being rotatable for engagement and disengagement with at least one chassis component. The drive screw can be rotated in a first rotational direction to urge the threaded barrel in a first longitudinal direction against at least one chassis component for mounting of the unit and can be rotated in an opposite rotational direction to urge the threaded barrel in an opposite longitudinal direction against at least one chassis component for dismounting of the unit.

Abstract: A pump enclosure includes a base, a plurality of pillars, and a cover. One of the pillars includes interconnecting aluminium extrusions defining therebetween a housing for pump control circuitry. This pillar can also provide a heat sink for dissipating heat generated during use of a pump away from the control circuitry.

Abstract: This invention is directed to: a printhead substrate which employs a constant current driving method and can suppress power consumption in a standby state, prevent an increase in printhead temperature, and stably discharge ink; a printhead using the printhead substrate; a head cartridge incorporating the printhead; and a printing apparatus using the printhead.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid consumption apparatus including a liquid consumption unit, a counting unit that counts the amount of the liquid consumed by the liquid consumption unit as a liquid consumption amount, a reception unit that receives a detection signal indicating that the amount of the liquid contained in the liquid container is not more than a predetermined amount; a detection-time liquid amount memory unit that memorizes the liquid consumption amount at the time of reception of the detection signal as a detection-time liquid consumption amount, and a judgment unit that judges that the liquid container is empty when the amount of difference between the liquid consumption amount and the detection-time liquid consumption amount is not more than a specified amount.

Abstract: A droplet ejecting component of the present invention includes an ejecting component having a charge and discharge characteristic, an applying component being provided with a transistor, and an increasing component. The ejecting component ejects a droplet. When a control signal is inputted, the applying component applies an application voltage to the ejecting component, and the increasing component increases the impedance of the transistor.

Abstract: There is provided a capacitive load driving circuit which applies a driving signal to a capacitive load. The driving circuit includes: an operational amplifier outputting a difference signal between signals from an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal, and setting a loop gain; a pulse width modulator pulse-width-modulating the difference signal outputted by the operational amplifier, and outputting resultant digital signal; a digital voltage amplifier amplifying a voltage of the digital signal; a first filter smoothing a digital signal from the digital voltage amplifier, and supplying a smoothed signal to the capacitive load as the driving signal; an impedance converting circuit converting an impedance of an output signal of the first filter; and a first feedback circuit feeding-back the driving signal, which is outputted from the first filter, to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier via the impedance converting circuit.

Abstract: An element substrate for a recording head includes groups of heating resistors that are disposed next to one another in each group; logic circuits configured to time-divisionally drive the heating resistors in units of one block; a heat enable signal line common to the groups of heating resisters, the heat enable signal line supplying a heat enable signal to each of the groups of heating resisters; and delay circuits connected to the heat enable signal line at positions between the groups of heating resisters. A signal output from each delay circuit to the next group is inverted.

Abstract: In a method of controlling drive of a function liquid droplet ejection head in which a plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged, the nozzle arrays have function liquid droplet ejection amounts which are different from each other per unit nozzle. The drive of the plurality of nozzle arrays is controlled by using a single drive signal having a plurality of ejection pulses corresponding to the plurality of nozzle arrays in one print cycle. Thus, even if a plurality of nozzle arrays having function liquid droplet ejection amounts which are different from each other per unit nozzle are disposed in one function liquid droplet ejection head, easy drive control is possible without lowering printing throughput.

Abstract: A recording method includes transferring recording data to a recording head having a nozzle array at a read timing for each of nozzle groups of the nozzle array according to information on misalignment of the nozzle array, and a driving the recording head for each of the groups for predetermined periods by inputting the transferred recording data. Each respective predetermined period includes a plurality of drive start timings for recording. One of the drive start timings is selected for each of the groups according to the information on the misalignment of the nozzle array.

Abstract: A printer cartridge is provided having a cartridge body removably mountable to a printer cradle unit, a printing fluid storage supported by the cartridge body, a printhead mounted to the cartridge body and a power and data interface for communicating a capacity of the printing fluid storage to a print controller of the cradle unit and receiving print data from the print controller for printing at a rate determined by the print controller in accordance with the communicated capacity. The printhead has a plurality of printing fluid ejection nozzles in fluid communication with the printing fluid storage and is configured to eject printing fluid from the nozzles at the received rate.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for discharging ink from a recording head arraying a plurality of nozzles to execute recording of an image includes a drive unit configured to form a group with a defined number of nozzles so as to include an adjacent nozzle in a different block and to execute time-division driving of the block according to a driving order corresponding to a recording mode, and a recording control unit configured to execute scan recording to a recording medium in a first recording mode or a second recording mode. Each pass of scan recording in the second recording mode is executed using nozzles smaller in number than a number of nozzles used to execute each pass of scan recording in the first recording mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a deposition printing system which includes two or more print units capable of moving with respect to each other during printing, each of the print units having one or more print heads together forming a head arrangement; and a controller to control movement of the print units to dynamically change the head arrangement during the printing.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a recording head includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire temperature information of the recording head, a generation unit configured to generate a signal that indicates outputting of an output voltage based on the temperature information, a voltage control unit configured to control a voltage to be output to the recording head based on the signal, and a control unit configured to simultaneously perform preliminary ejection processing in an interval between a previous scan and a next scan of the recording head and output processing of the signal.

Abstract: The sequence of the acquisition of a correction value of a conveying error depending on the eccentricity of the conveying roller (correction value for eccentricity) and the acquisition of a correction value of a conveying error depending on the outer diameter of the roller (correction value for outer diameter) is considered to acquire a precise correction value for outer diameter. A test pattern to acquire the correction values for eccentricity and for outer diameter is formed with an area exceeds the area corresponding to an integer multiple of the circumferential length of the roller. The correction value for eccentricity and that for outer diameter are acquired in this sequence. The fluctuation in the conveying error is reduced by the application of the correction value for eccentricity, and the influence of the excess area is made smaller before the correction value for outer diameter is acquired by averaging the conveying errors.

Abstract: Printers and methods to reduce vapor emissions in printers are disclosed. An example printer is described, including a fan to urge an airflow from a first printer portion, a duct to direct the airflow from the first printer portion and to substantially prevent adding air to the airflow, a condenser in communication with the duct, the condenser comprising a first condensing fin to condense oil in the airflow into a liquid, and an airflow reflection reducer associated with the condenser to reduce reflection of the airflow off of the first condenser fin.

Abstract: A printing method includes performing correction of an ink ejection amount for a certain area based on a correction value for a first type row region, and performing correction of an ink ejection amount for another area based on another correction value. The certain area includes a plurality of the first type row regions adjacent to each other in a transport direction of a medium. The other area is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the certain area, and includes a plurality of second type row regions and a plurality of the first type row regions in the transport direction. The other correction value is obtained by increasing a degree of the correction based on the correction value for the first type row region as a distance from the certain area decreases.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for implementing a radial sled printer device that substantially simplifies the complexity and reduces system costs and size for radial printing devices, both for devices that print and those that also record and print a label on circular media. In an embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a substantially fixed position over a platter such that said platter moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius or a line parallel to a radius as the media spins, effecting labeling of the media. In an alternate embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a fixed position over an optical recording drive such that said drive moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius as the media spins, affecting recording and labeling the media in a single insertion of the media.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station comprises a base including a spitting zone, a maintenance sled movable relative to the base, a wiper assembly for cleaning a printhead orifice plate, a capping assembly for capping a printhead orifice plate, a pick motor operating a paper picking assembly and the maintenance sled and the capping assembly, and, wherein the maintenance station provides for spitting, wiping, and capping of a printhead orifice plate.

Abstract: A capping device for a printhead comprises a metal body having a U-shaped transverse profile and defining a plurality of holes through an upper surface thereof; an integral spring constructed from a side wall of the metal body, the integral spring adapted to bias the capping device away from a side of a channel in which the capping device is installed; and an elastomeric seal attached to an inner side of the upper surface of the metal body, said elastomeric seal keyed to the metal body by the holes.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting head including: a piezoelectric element that includes a piezoelectric body, a first electrode disposed on one side of the piezoelectric body, and a second electrode disposed on the other side of the piezoelectric body; a first layer on one side of which the second electrode of the piezoelectric element is disposed; a second layer disposed on the other side of the first layer; a first electrical wire formed between the first layer and the second layer; and a second electrical wire that connects the first electrical wire and the second electrode, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light irradiating apparatus comprising a plurality of light emitting elements which emit light of a specific wavelength region and form elliptical light images on a surface to be irradiated, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are mutually arranged so that the light images are made continuous along their major axis directions. Further, the invention also discloses the above-mentioned light irradiating process and an image recording process.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the chamber having a nozzle opening and an ink inlet; a pair of electrical contacts positioned at one end of the assembly and connected to drive circuitry; and a thermal bend actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening, the actuator comprising: an active beam connected to the electrical contacts and extending longitudinally away from the contacts, the active beam defining a bent current flow path between the contacts; and a passive beam fused to the active beam, such that when a current is passed through the active beam, the active beam heats and expands relative to the passive beam resulting in bending of the actuator, wherein the actuator has a working face for generating a positive pressure pulse in the ink during the bending of the actuator, the working face having an area of less than 800 square microns.

Abstract: Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate with side walls and a roof portion together forming an ink chamber, the substrate defining an ink supply channel leading to the ink chamber, with one side wall defining an aperture. The arrangement also includes an elongate actuator extending through said aperture into the ink chamber, as well as a dynamic structure cantilevered from the side wall below the aperture. Further included is a static structure cantilevered from the side wall below the dynamic structure. The actuator is connected to the dynamic and static structures at a point distal from the aperture such that thermal expansion of the dynamic structure moves the actuator upwards in the chamber to eject ink from the chamber via a port defined in the roof portion.

Abstract: A liquid drop ejector is disclosed including a nozzle structure and a thermal actuator. The nozzle structure includes a nozzle and a wall. The nozzle includes an end and the wall extends from the end of the nozzle. The thermal actuator is associated with at least one of the nozzle and the wall, and is operable to add surface energy to at least one of the nozzle and the wall to cause a directional change in a liquid flowing through the nozzle structure.

Abstract: A method of micro-machining a semiconductor substrate to form one or more through slots therein. The semiconductor substrate has a device side and a fluid side opposite the device side. The method includes diffusing a p-type doping material into the device side of the semiconductor substrate in one or more through slot locations to be etched through a thickness of the substrates. The semiconductor substrate is then etched with a dry etch process from the device side of the substrate to the fluid side of the substrate so that one or more through slots having a reentrant profile are formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes an ejection side surface; an ejection outlet, formed in the ejection side surface, for ejecting liquid; and a protection tape pasted on the ejection side surface. The protection tape is partly irradiated with ultraviolet radiation or infrared radiation after being pasted on the ejection side surface such that bonding strength is different depending on a position of the protection tape.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head and method for reducing a stagger pattern distance and improving droplet placement, on a receiving medium. The micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate containing a plurality of ejection actuators on a device surface thereof and a fluid supply slot for providing fluid to be ejected by the micro-fluid ejection head. The ejection head also includes a flow feature component in flow communication with the fluid supply slot and configured for providing fluid ejection chambers and fluid supply channels for the fluid ejection chambers. Adjacent first and second ejection actuators in a substantially linear array of ejection actuators are each spaced a first distance from the fluid supply slot and second and third ejection actuators in the linear array of ejection actuators are each spaced a second distance from the fluid supply slot that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus having liquid ejection heads extending in a particular direction, and each liquid ejection head has an ejection surface with ejection ports configured to eject a liquid, a supply port to which liquid is supplied, and a flow path formed in the liquid ejection head. The flow path is configured to place the ejection ports and the supply port in fluid communication. The liquid ejection heads are positioned at predetermined intervals in a direction perpendicular to the particular direction, and for each liquid ejection head, the supply port of one liquid ejection head is in a different location in the particular direction, than all of the liquid ejection heads adjacent to the one liquid ejection head in the perpendicular direction.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprising: a nozzle orifice for jetting ink; an ink chamber communicating with the nozzle; a diaphragm for pressurizing ink in the ink chamber; a piezoelectric thin film on the diaphragm; and an electrode for the piezoelectric thin film wherein the piezoelectric thin film and the electrode are patterned to the same shape.

Abstract: A printer includes a printhead and a source of fluid. The printhead includes a nozzle. The fluid is under pressure sufficient to eject a column of the fluid through the nozzle. The fluid has a temperature. An asymmetric thermal modulator is associated with the nozzle and includes a structure that transiently lowers the temperature of a first portion of the fluid as the fluid is ejected through the nozzle and a structure that transiently raises the temperature of a second portion of the fluid as the fluid is ejected through the nozzle.