Abstract: The liquid discharge head substrate includes a first covering portion that covers the first heat generation element and that has conductivity, a second covering portion that covers the second heat generation element and that has conductivity, an insulative layer disposed between the first heat generation element and the first covering portion and between the second heat generation element and the second covering portion, a fuse portion provided on the substrate on a side on which the first covering portion is provided, common wiring for electrically coupling the first covering portion and the second covering portion, the common wiring coupled with the first covering portion via the fuse portion, and a cover layer including at least silicon and carbon and covering the fuse portion.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head substrate is provided. The head substrate comprises a substrate, an insulator arranged above the substrate, conductive patterns arranged in the insulator, a heat generating resistive element arranged above the insulator, a protective layer covering the heat generating resistive element, and electrode plugs configured to connect the heat generating resistive element and the conductive patterns. The heat generating resistive element and the electrode plugs are arranged in contact with each other to overlap each other. A current flows through the heat generating resistive element in a first direction. In the first direction, a length of the electrode plug is smaller than a length of the heat generating resistive element and in a second direction crossing the first direction, a length of the electrode plug is larger than a length of the heat generating resistive element.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge head including: a communication plate formed with a descender connected to a nozzle, a pressure chamber plate including a plurality of pressure chambers aligning in an array direction, a piezoelectric element, and a discharge common channel. The discharge common channel extends in the array direction, is connected to the plurality of pressure chambers, and has a first discharge portion and a second discharge portion. The discharge common channel is configured to discharge liquid toward one side in the array direction. The second discharge portion includes an expansion portion to expand beyond the first discharge portion in a width direction orthogonal to the stacking direction and to the array direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a vibration plate constituting a part of a wall surface of a pressure chamber accommodating a liquid; a piezoelectric element vibrating the vibration plate; and a reinforcing film disposed on a surface of the vibration plate on a pressure chamber side, in which a vibration region, which is a region of the vibration plate and is vibrated by the piezoelectric element, has an elongated shape in a plan view viewed in a thickness direction of the vibration plate, and the vibration region includes a first region in which the reinforcing film is not disposed and a second region which is located at a position closer to a center of the vibration region in a longitudinal direction than the first region, and in which the reinforcing film is disposed.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a discharge portion provided with a piezoelectric element that is driven by a driving signal and a compression chamber that discharges a liquid from a nozzle according to the driving of the piezoelectric element, a detection unit detecting residual vibration occurring in the discharge portion, in a detection period after the piezoelectric element is driven and outputting a residual vibration signal indicating a waveform of the residual vibration, a specification unit specifying an initial time from a start time when the detection period starts to a reference time when a residual vibration signal becomes a signal level of a center of an amplitude after the start time of the detection period, and an estimation unit estimating a viscosity of the liquid in the compression chamber, based on the initial time.

Abstract: A nozzle mount arrangement includes a substrate and a plurality of nozzle assemblies evenly distributed in a length direction of the substrate. The nozzle assembly includes a spray tongue connected to the substrate, a plurality of nozzles evenly distributed in a length direction of the spray tongue, and a locking mechanism provided on the spray tongue for pressing the spray tongue and the nozzle. An inkjet printer includes said nozzle mount arrangement. The nozzle mount arrangement and the inkjet printer have multiple nozzles on the spray tongue, thus the number of spray tongues is reduced, thereby reducing the assembly and maintenance costs of the spray tongues.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head, including: forming a stacked body having a structure and a protective member stacked on the structure, providing a first mask on an upper surface of the protective member to cover a through hole; forming a protective film by an atomic layer deposition on a surface defining a liquid flow channel of the stacked body provided with the first mask; and removing the first mask after forming the protective film.

Abstract: A liquid jetting head, includes: a nozzle plate having a nozzle surface in which nozzles are open, the nozzles being aligned on the nozzle surface in a first direction to form nozzle rows; a cover which is in thermal contact with ends in the first direction of the nozzle plate; and at least one heater which is in thermal contact with the cover and which is configured to heat the cover.

Abstract: A printing system for printing to a recording medium can include a guide, a printer, and a cleaner. The guide can guide the recording medium and be arranged in a first vertically traveling region. The printer having a print bar with a print head can print to the recording medium. The printer can be arranged in a printing position located in the first vertically traveling region, and be displaced, to facilitate the cleaning of the print head, into a service position located in a second vertically traveling region. The cleaner can be adapted to clean the print head. The cleaner can be arranged in a printing position located in the first vertically traveling region, and be displaced into the service position located in the second vertically traveling region to clean the print head. The cleaning can be automatically or manually performed.

Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device includes a housing having an exterior wall and a chamber. The exterior wall has a first opening. The chamber has an interior space and has a port coupled in fluid communication with the first opening. A stir bar is located in the chamber. The stir bar has a rotational axis. A guide portion is located in the chamber. The guide portion includes a confining member having a guide opening that defines an interior radial confining surface that engages the stir bar, wherein the guide opening facilitates a radial movement of the stir bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A liquid material filling device and method are provided which are intended to prevent air bubbles from remaining along an entire length of a flow passage extending from a liquid material reservoir (51) to a discharge port (53). The liquid material filling device includes a chamber (10) of an airtight structure, a pressure regulator (70) for regulating pressure in the chamber (10), and a control device (100). The liquid material is filled as follows. A negative pressure supply source (71) is communicated with a chamber communication pipe (90) and with a discharge device communication pipe (91) to reduce the pressure in the chamber (10) and pressure in an upper space of the reservoir (51) to a vacuum or a low pressure level close to a vacuum, and a resulted low-pressure state is maintained for a certain time to expel out air bubbles in the liquid material.

Abstract: An ink replenish container comprises a container main body that is able to store the ink; and an ink outlet formation member, attached to a front end side of the container main body, to form an ink outlet. The container main body includes a screw formation portion having a screw for engaging with the ink outlet formation member, and a shoulder portion provided on a front end side of the screw formation portion. The ink outlet formation member includes an abutting portion that abuts the shoulder portion.

Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes a discharge head configured to discharge a liquid on a medium conveyed, a carriage on which the liquid discharge head and a liquid cartridge are mounted configured to move in an X-axis direction, a cap disposed outside a conveying area in the X-axis direction, and configured to have contact with a nozzle surface of the discharge head on which a nozzle opens, and a control section configured to control moving of the carriage. When one of the replacement of the liquid cartridge and refill of the liquid container is performed, the control section locates the carriage at the first position where the nozzle surface is opposed to the area between the conveying area and the cap in the X-axis direction.

Abstract: There is provided a tank including a liquid inlet port, an atmosphere open port, a liquid outflow port, a first liquid chamber having a first atmosphere communication channel, a second liquid chamber being in communication with the first liquid chamber and having a second atmosphere communication channel, and a liquid channel. The liquid inside the liquid channel is movable along with a liquid consumption of a liquid consuming device connected to the tank. With the tank in a usage posture, when the liquid is stored in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first liquid chamber is formed independently from the liquid level of the liquid stored in the second liquid chamber.

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus includes a cartridge including a first storage chamber, a tank including a second storage chamber, a recording portion, a detected portion, a detector, and a wall portion. Liquid supplied from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber through an inlet port is supplied from the second storage chamber to the recording portion through an outlet port. The wall portion partitions an internal space of the second storage chamber into a first region including the liquid inlet port and a second region including the detected portion. The wall portion extends upward than the liquid inlet port and the detected portion and downward than the liquid inlet port and the detected portion. Communication between the first region and the second region is allowed through upper and lower communication portions. The upper communication portion is positioned upward than the liquid inlet port and the detected portion.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus for forming images with ink droplets includes the following elements: an inkjet head, a plurality of holders for removably holding a plurality of ink tanks storing inks interchangeable with each other, branch pipes each having one end thereof connected to one of the ink tanks, a mixer provided at the other ends of the branch pipes, a pump for feeding the inks to the mixer, a feed pipe connecting the mixer and the inkjet head, and a controller for controlling ink feeding. The controller makes different a feed rate of the ink from each of the ink tanks.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a printer system that includes a first primary ink tank holding a dark-colored ink, a second primary ink tank holding a light-colored ink, a first selector valve configured to change a state, a first secondary ink tank connected to the first primary ink tank via the first selector valve, a second secondary ink tank connected to the first and second primary ink tanks via the first selector valve, a second selector valve connected to the first primary ink tank configured to return the dark-colored ink from the print heads to the first primary ink tank, and a third selector valve connected to the second selector valve and the second primary ink tank configured to either return the light-colored ink from the print heads to the second primary ink tank or to direct the dark-colored ink to the second selector valve.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head, a pump, tanks, a supply path, liquid supply regulators, a pressure detector, and control circuitry. The liquid supply regulators are provided for each of the tanks and configured to open and block the supply path to regulate supply of a liquid from the tanks to the liquid discharge head. The pressure detector is disposed between the liquid supply regulators and the liquid discharge head in the supply path. The control circuitry is configured to determine a low level tank among the tanks on basis of opening and closing conditions of the liquid supply regulators in a case where the pressure detector detects that a pressure of the supply path is lower than a predetermined value, and control the liquid supply regulators to supply the liquid from at least one tank of the tanks to the liquid discharge head.

Abstract: The present invention has a problem of suppressing liquid gathering of an interpolation dot which interpolates a discharge defective nozzle and preventing deterioration of image quality, and the problem is solved by the present invention including: an inkjet head configured to separately discharge a large droplet, a medium droplet, and a small droplet from each of a plurality of nozzles; and a control unit which forms an image in a single-pass system by discharging the medium droplets from the plurality of nozzles respectively, and forms an interpolation dot to interpolate a discharge defective nozzle by discharging a droplet from a different nozzle when the discharge defective nozzle is present, the control unit forming the interpolation dot to interpolate the discharge defective nozzle with the use of the large droplet and forming at least one adjacent dot which is in contact with the interpolation dot with the use of the small droplet.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a storage to store a plurality of density adjustment parameters that are each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of first-page calibration patterns and a plurality of second-page calibration patterns, a density adjustment processing part to adjust data on a color gradation value of a first-page superimposing portion and data on a gradation value of a second-page superimposing portion using their respective associated density adjustment parameters, and a printing part to make a print on recording paper to form a plurality of printed calibration patterns that include a printed superimposing portion where the first-page superimposing portion and the second-page superimposing portion are superimposed on each other based on data on color densities adjusted by the density adjustment processing part. A color density of the printed superimposing portion printed on the recording paper varies for each of the printed calibration patterns.

Abstract: When printing is performed using a thermal head to convert power into heat and to heat an ink sheet laid on paper by the heat, a change in density in a paper carrying direction D1 of an image to be printed in an output region of the paper is calculated using printing data, printing-data-for-correction to indicate an image-for-correction to be printed in a margin printing region of the paper and to cause a change of power required by the thermal head while a combined image including the image and the image-for-correction is printed onto the paper to be smaller than a change of the power required by the thermal head while only the image is printed onto the paper is created, and the ink sheet is heated by the thermal head in accordance with the printing data and the printing-data-for-correction.

Abstract: A portable printer apparatus is a specially designed enhancement for portable laptop computers, tablets, and smart phones that incorporates a portable printer apparatus with the convenience of a portable electronic unit. The portable printer apparatus is battery powered and able to connect to a portable electronic device and print any on-line or off-line documents that the portable electronic device is able to receive wirelessly or store in memory, from any location regardless of power availability.

Abstract: A structure forming method of present invention includes a first step including forming a first pattern serving as a fine pattern using an electromagnetic wave thermal conversion material on a first surface, on the side on which an expansion layer which expands by heating is provided, of a medium including the expansion layer and then irradiating an electromagnetic wave toward the electromagnetic wave thermal conversion material to expand a portion, corresponding to the first pattern, of the expansion layer, and a second step including forming a second pattern including a coarser pattern than the first pattern using an electromagnetic wave thermal conversion material on a second surface, on the opposite side to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, of the medium and then irradiating an electromagnetic wave toward the electromagnetic wave thermal conversion material to expand a portion, corresponding to the second pattern, of the expansion layer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a medium mounting section on which a medium is to be mounted, a reverse-feeding path for reversing the medium that has been fed from the medium mounting section, a recording unit configured to perform recording onto the medium that has been reversed by the reverse-feeding path, and a reverse-discharging path for reversing the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit and for discharge the medium to a discharge section configured to discharge the medium, in which when viewed in a medium width direction intersecting a medium transport direction, a path section for reversing the medium in the reverse-feeding path and a path section for reversing the medium in the reverse-discharging path have portions overlapping each other in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Method for holding substrates on a flatbed printing system. After positioning the substrates on the substrate support surface, a leak air area not covered by the substrates is covered by positioning a flexible cover device at least over the leak air area, and preferably over the substrates as well. Thereby, air flow through the through-holes is prevented. An under-pressure is then applied to the through-holes, sucking the substrates against the substrate support surface. The flexible cover device is then withdrawn to expose the substrate for printing while the under-pressure is maintained. It was found that despite the additional amount of air passing through the through-holes uncovered by the withdrawal of the flexible cover device, the under-pressure surprisingly remained sufficient to properly hold the substrates for printing. An additional advantage is that the cover device may be applied easily and rapidly over the leak air area and substrates at once.

Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

Abstract: An anti-stuck driving device comprises: a movable blade, a movable blade driving unit, and a controller. The movable blade driving unit comprises a transmission assembly, a motor configured to drive the transmission assembly, and a connecting element connected between the transmission assembly and the motor. The transmission assembly links the movable blade moving back and forth linearly. The controller connects to the motor. When the movable blade is stuck, the controller controls the motor to drive the connecting element to rotate in reverse to separate the transmission assembly and the connecting element, and release a resistance of the transmission assembly. The present invention also discloses a printer using the anti-stuck driving device with malfunction repairing.

Abstract: A printing assembly for digital printing on a continuous metal strip, including: a digital printing unit having a printing area and a conveyor belt arranged for advancing the continuous metal strip in a longitudinal direction through the printing area, an inlet guide unit located upstream of the printing unit and configured to guide the continuous metal strip along a path comprising at least one first movable bend which is freely movable in the longitudinal direction, and an outlet guide unit located downstream of the digital printing unit and configured to guide the continuous metal strip along a path comprising at least one second movable bend which is freely movable in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A media holder assembly (11) includes a base (13) secured to a platform (15). The platform (15) has a central cylindrical depression (16). A first hub (20) protrudes from the center of the depression (16). A first spring (24), concentric to the first hub (20) biases a second, ring-shaped hub (30) which is fitted over the first spring (24). The second hub (30) is slidably engaged to the first hub (20). A second spring (26), concentric to the first hub (20) and sized to fit around the second hub (30), biases a third, ring-shaped hub (40) which is fitted over the second spring (26). The third hub (40) is slidably engaged to the second hub (30) and to the inner wall (17) of the cylindrical depression (16). The first hub (20), the second hub (30), and the third hub (40) are sized to accommodate media rolls of different sizes.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a head unit having a liquid discharging head that has a driving element, a position detection circuit that outputs a position information signal indicative of a position of the liquid discharging head, a first circuit that controls drive of the driving element based on a first signal, and a first conversion circuit that converts a first optical signal into the first signal; and a driving circuit having a second circuit that outputs a second signal, a second conversion circuit that converts the second signal into the first optical signal, a first cable, and a second cable, in which the first cable connects the first conversion circuit to the second conversion circuit, and propagates the first optical signal, and the second cable electrically couples the position detection circuit to the second circuit, and propagates the position information signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a security document including an image layer with in a first image area an identification image. The document has in a second image area an authentication image that is composed of a first authentication image that is a positive version of the first image and a second authentication image that is a negative version of the first image. The authentication images can be observed at different angles and form a tilt image. Mutual comparison of the positive and negative tilt images and comparison with the identification image provides improved detection of unauthorized alterations.

Abstract: An array-type electrode, which may include a substrate, an isolating layer, an electrode and a micro-structure layer. The isolating layer may be disposed on one side of the substrate. The first part of the electrode may be disposed on one side of the substrate and covered by the isolating layer; the second part of the electrode penetrates through the substrate; the third part of the electrode may be disposed on the other side of the substrate; the first part may be connected to the third part via the second part. The micro-structure layer may be disposed on the isolating layer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium comprises a heat-resistant lubricating layer laminated on a first surface of a substrate, and an undercoat layer and a dye layer laminated in this order on a second surface of the substrate. The dye layer contains, as binders, a polyvinyl acetal resin, a phenoxy resin, and a graft copolymer having a main chain comprising polycarbonate and a side chain comprising a vinyl-based polymer, and also contains Compounds I, II, and III as cyan dyes.

Abstract: An example of a printable recording medium includes a base substrate, a first ink-receiving layer, and a second ink-receiving layer. The first ink-receiving layer includes a first inorganic pigment in an amount equal to or greater than 70 wt % and a first ink-fixing agent in an amount ranging from about 3 wt % to about 10 wt % based on a total wt % of the first ink-receiving layer. The second ink-receiving layer includes a second inorganic pigment. Both the first ink-receiving layer and the second ink-receiving layer exclude precipitated calcium carbonate.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes a treatment liquid attachment step, in which a treatment liquid containing at least one flocculant is attached to a recording medium, and an ink attachment step, in which an aqueous ink composition is attached to the recording medium. The treatment liquid attachment step and the ink attachment step are performed through multiple main scans and multiple sub-scans. A main scan is a movement of a recording head in a main scanning direction, and a sub-scan is a movement of the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction, which crosses the main scanning direction. The recording head has a first ejecting nozzle group, which is a line of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction and ejects the treatment liquid, and a second ejecting nozzle group, which is a line of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction and ejects the aqueous ink composition.

Abstract: A self-adhesive and reusable support for notes is disclosed. The support comprises a flat laminar body (1-1?-1?) that in turn comprises a first flat surface (10) and a second flat surface (11) opposite from the first surface. The flat laminar body comprises micro suction cups (3) distributed in a staggered pattern on the first flat surface and a writable surface (4) on the second surface. The self-adhesive and reusable support for notes is manufactured from opaque polymeric calendered vinyl. The support is reusable, meaning that it can be used as many times as desired, without the risk of losing the self-adhesive properties thereof even when the location thereof is constantly changed, as well as writing with marker or highlighter and erasing it again. Due to the nature thereof, it is especially suitable for use in the Kanban method.

Abstract: Provide is a tool that includes a handle assembly including a top and bottom portion and a blade disposed between the top and bottom portion having first and second ends and an opening at its first end. The opening includes first and second notches opposed to one another. The tool also includes a latch assembly disposed between the top and bottom portion that is movable between first and second positions, the latch assembly including a latch having a protrusion that engages one of the first or second notches in the first position and disengages from the one of the first or second notches in the second position. The blade is rotatable about the first end between a closed positioned where the first notch is engaged by the protrusion, and an open position where the second notch is engaged by the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hubless one-piece wheel comprising: a rim; and a disc integrally formed at the rim and formed by low-pressure casting, wherein the disc is a hubless type including a plurality of spokes and a space at the center of the rim. One side of said each spoke is integrally formed at the rim, and a lug hole is formed in the other side of said each spoke for coupling the wheel to a vehicle body. The plurality of spokes are radially arranged inside the rim, and each of the other sides of the spoke locates in the inner center portion of the rim being separated by the space.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a wheel disc, includes forming a flange portion, wherein the flange portion is formed such that an inner mold and an outer mold having a cylindrical inner surface with a first inside radius larger than the first outside radius and placed above the inner mold coaxially to the inner mold are brought close relative to each other in an axial direction by one stroke so that the outer edge of the disc material is bent downward, and the cylindrical inner surface of the outer mold is provided with recessed portions hollowed outwardly in a wheel radial direction, the recessed portions being formed in ranges corresponding to the window portions in the wheel circumferential direction and in a range from a middle position to a bottom end in the wheel axial direction.

Abstract: A portable escape device is provided for self-rescue in the case of an auto tyre being trapped in a pit. The portable escape device includes support posts, a clamping device fitted to the support posts, and a jacking device fitted to the clamping device. The support posts are fixedly mounted onto spokes. The clamping device clamps an auto tyre. The jacking device protrudes and extends out of a top face of a tyre portion. The portable escape device can release the trapped auto tyre and perform self-rescue fast and reliably, and it is convenient to carry.

Abstract: Provided is a wheel including: a main housing with a series of apertures disposed radially thereabout; an inner shaft disposed within the main housing and rotatably coupled thereto; a set of spokes distributed radially around the inner shaft and attached thereto at a first end, each spoke positioned within one of the series of apertures in the main housing; a set of linkages distributed radially around the inner shaft and attached to a second end of the spokes, the linkages positioned within the apertures; and a set of rollers distributed radially around the inner shaft and mounted on the linkages; wherein the spokes, linkages, and rollers can be moved from a first, contracted position, to a second, expanded position.

Abstract: A lift to facilitate changing of a tire and wheel assembly on an automobile, small truck or trailer in the field. The lift includes an elongated rod with a U-shaped socket having a slot and aligned flat to facilitate seating and pivoting of the socket on a lug bolt on an axle-spindle of the vehicle when passed through one of the bolt holes in the tire rim. A handle is provided on the opposite end of the elongated rod by which an operator may lift the tire using the lever principle while rotating the assembly such that the bolt holes in the rim align with the lug bolts. A slide on the elongated rod serves as a stop to control sliding of the tire and wheel assembly towards the operator during the lifting operation.

Abstract: A caster assembly includes a base body, a tubular member, a retaining member and two wheel units. The base body includes an inner surrounding surface, a through hole surrounded by the inner surrounding surface, and a positioning slot extending along a line tangent to the inner surrounding surface and communicating with the through hole. The tubular member is inserted into the through hole. The retaining member is inserted into the positioning slot to retain the tubular member within the through hole. The wheel units are respectively and rotatably sleeved on two lateral connection portions of the tubular member.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire in which a side reinforcement layer formed of a treated member is arranged, the treated member formed by coating with rubber organic fiber cords extending parallelly to ply cords of a carcass ply of the carcass main body, only on a sidewall portion of a half portion on one tire widthwise side; a tire radial inner end of the side reinforcement layer is located on a side inner in the tire radial direction than a tire radial outermost position of a rim flange, and a tire radial outer end of the side reinforcement layer overlaps the belt by 5 mm or more in a tire widthwise direction; and the tread portion has one or more circumferential main grooves, and a contact width of a tire widthwise outermost land portion is larger than a contact width of a tire widthwise outermost land portion.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread surface of a tread portion comprising land portions defined by three circumferential grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction and main lug grooves forming intra-land portions divided in the tire circumferential direction; the intra-land portions being divided by the laterally outer circumferential grooves, the main lug grooves, and circumferential narrow grooves to form long small land portions, which are long in the tire circumferential direction); and the intra-land portions being divided by the laterally central circumferential groove, the main lug grooves, subsidiary lug grooves, and the circumferential narrow grooves to form two short small land portions, which are short in the tire circumferential direction.

Abstract: An inflator disposed within a tubeless tire for inflating the tubeless tire. A rechargeable electric storage disposed within a tubeless for providing electricity. An electric air compressor is mounted on an inside surface of the rim of the tubeless tire within the pressure cavity of the tubeless tire. The electric air compressor and an air pressure sensor disposed within the tubeless tire runs by a controller. The electric air compressor has a compressed air inlet vented to atmosphere in a custom valve stem through a conventional hole of a valve stem in the rim of the tubeless tire. A motion activated power generator recharges the rechargeable electric storage. A short-range radio transmits measured pressure data for each tire to a central OBD module plugged into in the vehicle. The central OBD module connects through a smartphone indirectly or directly to a central server via a networked cellular radio tower.

Abstract: A tire changer which utilizes an elongated bead breaker assembly with a tool that defines a pair of contiguous, substantially planar tire contact surfaces which define therebetween an included angle in the range of about 155 to about 165 degrees. The tool is situated at an included angle of about 55 to 65 degrees with respect to longitudinal axis of the elongated bead breaker assembly.

Abstract: Devices are taught for filling a tire with air, gas or a liquid and repairing the tire. In one embodiment, the tire repair tool discloses an transmittal control section, with the transmittal control section comprising a proximal end, the proximal end having an opening, a distal end, with the distal end having a centralized opening to align with a puncturable seal at a proximal end of a gas cartridge; a passageway positioned between the proximal end of the gas cartridge and the distal end; and a puncture tool which can puncture the puncturable seal of the gas cartridge. The puncture tool is positioned at the distal end of the transmittal control section along the air passage way. An insertion tube comprises an air inlet at a distal end of the insertion tube which is connected to the opening of the proximal end of the transmittal control section.

Abstract: A hitching apparatus includes a towing vehicle-side hitch component, a towed vehicle-side hitch component, a towing vehicle-side insertion connector component having at least one insertion connector configuration as an interface of a towing vehicle-side supply lead for transferring energy and/or information, a towed vehicle-side insertion connector component having at least one insertion connector configuration as an interface of a towed vehicle-side supply lead for transferring energy and/or information, a towing vehicle-side alignment component separate from the towing vehicle-side hitch component and arranged thereon, which carries the towing vehicle-side insertion connector component, and a towed vehicle-side alignment component separate from the towed vehicle-side hitch component and arranged thereon, which carries the towed vehicle-side insertion connector component. One alignment component includes an alignment configuration and is movable relative to the hitch component carrying it.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer pivot assembly can comprise first and second yoke arms with respective first and second end portions and a pivot coupling the first end portion of each yoke arm to a bicycle trailer frame. The first end portions the yoke arms comprise respective first and second hinge portions that interfit and that receive a hinge pin that couples the first end portions together and to the bicycle trailer frame for pivoting about an upright axis. The first and second hinge portion comprise respective stops positioned to engage one another to limit the maximum distance to which the second end portions of the first and second yoke arms can be spread apart. The first and second hinge portions can comprise respective stops that limit both the maximum and minimum spread apart positions of the second end portions of the yoke arms.