A two-part rail clip insulator (40, 50) for a tie and rail seat assembly that enables the seat to be pre-assembled at the rail tie fabrication plant into a preloaded position where a rail (2) may be laid on the tie (5) on site, the clips (30) being movable to the loaded position after the rail is placed in position. The rail seat includes a concrete rail tie (5), a pair of rail clip support shoulders (10) cast in place in the tie (5), each shoulder (10) having a rail face between its external sides, a pair of shoulder insulators (50) each shaped to lie against the rail face of the rail shoulder, a pair of rail clips (30) each having a base section (31) adapted to seat within the support shoulder (10) and a toe section adapted to seat on the rail base; the arrangement being such that when the rail clip is in the preloaded position, the toe insulator (40) and the toe (36) of the clips do not project beyond the face of the shoulder insulator (50), so that a rail (2) can be laid between the rail shoulders and their associated insulators (50). The toe insulator (40) is shaped to facilitate loading of the rail clip (30) and resist movement of the clip or the rail during use.

Concrete ties have been in use in some parts of the world for a long time but it is only since 1985 that they have been able to provide cost benefits for use in North America relative to wooden ties.
One advantage of concrete ties is that the rail seats can be pre assembled with only a few components to be added on site when the rail is placed in position. The difficulty with this is that the pre assembled components can become dislodged during transport and some components still have to be positioned on the rail. The rail seats usually comprises a rail pad that is positioned below the rail, an abrasion resistant plate below the pad, rail clip support shoulders on the field and gauge sides of the rail, an elastic rail clip that seats in the support shoulder and bears down on the rail base and an insulator that lies between the rail and the rail clip and the support shoulder. The support shoulders are precast in the rail tie and the rail pad is fitted between each pair. Because the rail clips and insulators contact the rail when fastened they cannot be placed in position until the rail has been placed in position on the rail seat. Rail seat assemblies of this type have been generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,110,046, 5,551,633 and 6,604,690. The rail clips in these assemblies are either installed or loose and therefore had to be assembled on site. U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,704 proposed using a modified support shoulder so that the clip could be partially installed for transport purposes where it was retained on the shoulder and then able to be fully installed when the rail was placed in position. In this arrangement the insulators still needed to be placed in position manually before the clip could be fully installed. The insulator is a one piece assembled part that lies on the rail flange to separate the rail from the clip and extends down between the rail flange and the support shoulder to provide insulation between the shoulder and the rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,330 discloses a bent rod rail clip with a two part insulator that enables the rail seat to be pre-assembled at the tie plant.
WO02/31264 discloses a rail clip that has an insulator encapsulating the toe of the rail clip that lies on the rail flange to avoid the need to insert the insulator separately.
It is an object of this invention to provide a rail clip insulator that enables easier assembly of a rail seat without compromising rail fastening performance.


A ratchet wheel mounting arrangement in which a toothed arch block is mounted in a smoothly arched notch disposed inside a box end of a ratchet wrench. A smoothly arched notch extends axially to the topmost edge of the box end. The toothed arch block has one end disposed in contact with the arched notch. The other end of the arch block is supported on a spring in a blind hole in the arched notch. A toothed front side forced by the spring force into engagement with the ratchet wheel in the box end. The height of teeth of the toothed arch block is approximately equal to the height of teeth on the ratchet wheel.

The present invention relates to a ratchet socket wrench, and more particularly, to an improved wheel mounting arrangement of a ratchet socket wrench which is easy to manufacture, and can be rapidly installed.
A variety of ratchet socket wrenches for turning hexagon head bolts and hexagon nuts has appeared on the market. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a ratchet wheel mounting arrangement of a ratchet socket wrench according to the prior art, wherein a ratchet wheel is mounted within a box end at one end of the wrench and secured in place by a C-shaped clamp and a cover plate. A spring is mounted in the box end. A toothed arch block is mounted within the box end is and forced by the spring into engagement with the ratchet wheel to limit rotary motion of the ratchet wheel inside the box end to one direction. The ratchet wheel has an annular groove around the periphery, and a plurality of teeth equiangularly spaced around the annular groove. The toothed arch block is mounted in a recessed hole inside the box end of the wrench, having a projecting rod raised from a back side thereof. The spring is mounted inside the recessed hole in the box end of the wrench and connected between the projecting rod of the toothed arch block and inside wall of the recessed hole. Because the teeth of the ratchet wheel are formed at the annular groove around the periphery (see FIGS. 16 to 18), the fabrication process of the ratchet wheel is complicated. The processing process of the recessed hole in the box end of the wrench is also complicated (see FIG. 11). Furthermore, the tooth arch block tends to be forced away from the spring. FIGS. 5 and 6 show another ratchet wheel mounting arrangement according to the prior art. This arrangement has the same drawbacks.
The present invention has been accomplished to provide a ratchet wheel mounting arrangement for a ratchet socket wrench which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. According to one aspect of the present invention, the box end of the wrench has a smoothly arched notch axially extended to the topmost edge of the inside wall thereof for receiving the toothed arch block, and a blind hole in the smoothly arched notch for receiving the spring, permitting the toothed arch block to be forced by the spring into positive engagement with the ratchet wheel. According to another aspect of the present invention, the teeth of the ratchet wheel are arranged around the peripheral wall thereof, and the height of teeth on the toothed front side of the toothed arch block is approximately equal to that of the teeth on the ratchet wheel.

Ratchet wheel mounting arrangement of a wrench


A controller is provided in an in-vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling a backup power source to maintain continuous power supply to a memory in a standby state of ACC-OFF using a battery of a vehicle. The controller reduces dark current in the standby state by reducing an output voltage of the backup power source of the ECU depending on a state of the battery of the vehicle. The controller may be provided to not only the single ECU but also other ECUs in the vehicle, thereby reducing the dark current in the whole of the vehicle.

Patent document 1: JP 2007-237768 A
Vehicles each have a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units). The ECUs need a power supply in a standby state of ACC-OFF, possibly causing a battery of the vehicle to run out. For example, an in-vehicle navigation ECU has generally a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) as a main memory; data stored in the DRAM may disappear when the battery of the vehicle runs out. Patent document 1 proposes a countermeasure to monitor whether the battery of the vehicle is going to run out. That is, when the battery is going to run out, the power source is shut down after evacuating or saving the data from the main memory of the ECU to a nonvolatile memory.
However, such a countermeasure requires the data saved in the nonvolatile memory to return to the main memory when subsequently being re-activated by switching from the standby state of ACC-OFF into the usual state of ACC-ON. This unfortunately increases an activation time. Thus, the ECU is provided with a backup power source receiving continuous power supply from the battery of the vehicle; the backup power source maintains a power supply to the main memory. This permits the high-speed start of the navigation ECU when the usual state of ACC-ON replaces the standby state of ACC-OFF. Such a configuration, however, maintains unchanged the output voltage from the backup power source to the main memory even when the standby state replaces the usual state. This needs significant dark current during the standby state, possibly causing the battery of the vehicle to run out.


The present invention concerns a knife insert (1) for a wood-working machine, said knife insert being intended for mounting on a rotatable knife head, said knife insert having a first cutting edge (2) and a second cutting edge (3), the latter being arranged to cut obliquely to the grain of the wood stock, whereby said knife insert is adapted mountable to said knife head by its heel (4), which is the part of the insert situated closer to the center axis of the knife head than said first cutting edge (2). The first cutting edge (2) and the second cutting edge (3) are located relative to each other so that the second cutting edge (3), which cuts obliquely on the grain of stock, under all conditions hits the surface of the stock to be worked earlier than the first cutting edge (2).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a knife insert in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Logs to be sawn are usually worked at least on one side, however, most generally on two sides prior to rip-sawing. This operation is normally performed through milling certain side parts of the log into chips by passing the log into a gap formed by two revolving cutter heads. In the art are used knife heads shaped as a truncated cone and having knife inserts mounted thereto staggered in screw-thread fashion, whereby the side of the log will be chipped sequentially by each knife insert at a time starting from the outermost perimeter of the cutter head and proceeding radially toward the axis of revolution of the cutter head. Square timber hewing machines, chipping canters and similar wood-working machines generally have at least two cutter heads with a number of knife inserts attached to their perimeter in a spiralling succession so as form a screw thread. One such knife head is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,934. Therein, each of the knife inserts mounted on the knife head has two cutting edges, of which one is arranged to cut approximately with the grain of stock (i.e., approximately longitudinally with the grain in at least some plane perpendicular to the working direction), while the other edge cuts obliquely to the grain. The knife insert is mounted on the knife head by its heel, which is formed by the extension of the with-the-grain cutting edge toward the center axis of the knife head. Such a knife insert has been developed further by aligning the obliquely-cutting edge at an outward pointing angle with respect to the with-the-grain cutting edge. One embodiment of this type of knife insert is described in a data sheet HewSaw R250 released by Veisto-Rakenne Rautio Oy, Finland.
Knife inserts of the prior-art technology have, however, been found to be problematic in cases where the knife insert runs in a small radius of rotation cutting the grain at an unfavourable angle. Such a situation is encountered when, e.g., a knife insert mounted on a small-diameter knife head is used for working large trunks. Then, the with-the-grain cutting edge starts to flex the cut chip outward before the cross-the-grain cutting edge has cut the wood grain. Resultingly, the chips will be of different sizes, which causes lower quality of the chips and other defects.


This invention consists of a method and apparatus which establish specific central and vertical dimensions and positions for patterns for the making of dentures which will provide a natural occlusion upon replacement of natural teeth.

There has been a long and intensive development of various methods and devices to determine the placement of upper and lower dentures and their relative positions in the patient's oral cavity, so as to restore a natural occlusion. This is evidenced by the large number of patents issued for this purpose over a lengthy period of time. The endeavor in this field has been to establish specific reference points relative to the positions of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws. These reference points establish exact positions of patterns for replacing natural teeth with dentures, whereby a natural bite or occlusion is restored.
Many of the devices described in prior art patents are too complex to be practical or do not provide the degree of accuracy required. A major shortcoming has been the inability to provide stable reference points which can be accurately ascertained, especially after all natural teeth have been extracted.
Ear openings with lip support have been used to establish reference points, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,901 and 3,464,115. With these reference points, any particular position for the placement of dentures is difficult to reproduce, particularly in vertical spacing or dimensioning.
A frame supported on the patient's ears has been used for this purpose. The frame is a transverse rod supported on the bridge of a patient's nose. A lower frame is attached to the lower jaw and a stylus is used with a recording plate to obtain measurements. Such a device is so complex that its use is discouraged.
These and further examples of the prior art are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,779; 4,695,252; 4,096,637; and 4,126,938.
The invention herein, as will be described, represents significant improvement and simplicity for establishing a natural bite in dentures.

Method and apparatus for creating patterns for dentures


There is provided a semiconductor device having a wiring structure which reduces possibility of a short circuit, and method of making the device. Besides, there is provided a semiconductor device having high reliability. Further, there is provided a semiconductor device having high yield. A wiring line is formed at one main surface side of a semiconductor substrate, and has a laminate structure of an adjacent conductor layer and a main wiring layer. The main wiring layer contains an added element to prevent migration. The adjacent conductor layer is formed of a material for preventing a main constituent element and the added element of the main wiring layer from diffusing into the substrate beneath the adjacent conductor layer, and the concentration of the added element at a location close to an interface between the adjacent conductor layer and the main wiring layer is low compared to the concentration of the added element in the main wiring layer spaced from the adjacent conductor layer.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.
A semiconductor device has been miniaturized in recent years. As miniaturization has proceeded, the width of metal wiring lines in the device has narrowed, and, therefore, an aluminum comprising copper of about 0.5% by weight is generally used to prevent disconnection of a wire, or a hillock, in an aluminum wiring line due to migration.
However, in the case of the aluminum wiring line containing copper, there is a case where copper atoms are precipitated. The location of precipitation is around a grain boundary or an interface between an adjacent conductor layer and a main wiring layer. Especially, when a precipitate become large around the interface, there is a case where the precipitates remain there since the precipitate is not etched. In the case where a wiring interval (space between wirings) is narrow, it is a cause of short circuit failure between adjacent wiring lines.
Since there is a tendency that not only a width of the wiring line but also an interval between wiring lines narrow, the problem of short circuit failure can be serious. Then, for example, Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 186175/1996 discloses a method in which after forming an aluminum film and dissolving copper into the aluminum at high temperature, rapid cooling is carried out to prevent copper precipitates at the cooling.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


A ski sole having a first section situated in the ski runner region and two other sections corresponding to the two ends of the ski. The first section is fabricated of a material having a greater hardness than that of the two other sections.

The invention relates to a sole for a ski, and in particular for a downhill ski.
Apart from a certain resistance to wear, the essential quality required for ski soles relates to their sliding capability.
The phenomena of sliding on snow or ice have been widely studied, and it emerges from these findings that sliding is principally inherent in the formation of a film of water below the sole, which facilitates and promotes the resulting sliding. This film of water is created as a result of the phenomena of friction of the sole on the snow or the ice, which give rise to a local temperature rise and consequently the melting of the snow or of the ice in this region.
The friction brought about by the sole is dependent on the one hand on the distribution of the weight of the skier in the region of the sole and on the other hand on the positioning of the ski in relation to the slope, according to whether the skier is in the course of turning or in a straight line, but is also dependent on the speed and in a general manner on the dynamics of the skier in the course of maneuvering in relation to the snow or the ice.
In fact, it has been possible to demonstrate that on the flat the distribution of pressure in the region of the ski takes place essentially in the region of the runner and, to a lesser degree, in the region of the lines of contact, front and rear respectively, of the ski. On the other hand, the pressure exerted is rather weak in the region of the other places of the sole.
This distribution of pressure is quite different as soon as the skier carries out turns. In fact, in such a case, it has been possible to show that in a turn the ski rested essentially on a fold of snow formed by the maneuvering of the ski, and this in the region of a very small portion of the surface of its sole and typically in the region of the lateral edge resting on the snow and that moreover this pressure was maximum in the region of the runner.
In fact, the pressure generated in the region of the runner is moreover accentuated by the dynamic effect which is added to the purely static effect inherent in the weight of the skier.


A method of double-sided printing, in effect, on opposite or both surfaces of a layer on a multi-layered foil laminate. Moreover, also disclosed is the provision of a novel multi-layered foil laminate having at least one layer, preferably an exterior layer which is constituted of a plastic film material, and which is provided with printing on both surfaces of the layer. In essence, the inventive method of double-sided printing includes initially printing on a first side of an outer layer of a plastic film material, preferably such as polyester, wherein the printing is imparted to the side or surface of the plastic film material facing towards an underlying metallic foil to which it is to be adhered. Thereafter, in order to effectuate the printing on the opposite or external surface of the outer plastic film material, the laminated foil has thermal transfer printing imparted to the outer surface of the plastic film layer, preferably through the intermediary of a ceramic printing head, imparting further indicia indicative of specific information relative to the contents of a package which is to be equipped with the foil laminate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of double-sided printing, in effect, on opposite or both surfaces of a layer on a multi-layered foil laminate. Moreover, the invention is also directed to the provision of a novel multi-layered foil laminate having at least one layer, preferably an exterior layer which is constituted of a plastic film material, and which is provided with printing on both surfaces of the layer.
The utilization of foil laminates which possess an external surface which is imprinted with various legends and indicia, and whereby the foil laminate may be utilized, among numerous other physical applications, as lid stock for plastic packages, such as the so-called "blister packages" of the injection molded type, is well-known in the packaging technology.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In many instances, the externally arranged layer of the lid or cover-forming foil laminate; in essence, the layer having a surface facing the outside of the package, may be provided with suitable printing. For example, such printing may consist of indicia or legends identifying the manufacturer, the manufacturer's logo and miscellaneous information and decorative and advertising indicia identifying the product in the package, and include suitable variable technical information, such as expiration dates, lot numbers and other data specific to the packaged product.
Basically, such multi-layered foil laminates in the form of webs which are employed for lid stock purposes include outer layers of suitable plastic film material adhesively fastened to both sides or opposite surfaces of a foil web. Such a foil web is ordinarily constituted of a suitable metallic material, which may be aluminum or the like, and wherein one of the plastic film material layers is adapted to be adhesively secured, such as by means of heat scaling or the like, to the injection- molded material of the plastic container or package whose contents it is adapted to seal therein. Frequently, blister packages or similar plastic containers which have covers in the shape of foil laminates applied thereto are subjected to potentially damaging temperature and/or environmental conditions. This may be the case when the entire package is subjected to sterilization, as in the instance when the product housed therein is intended to be employed in a medical capacity; for example, a product such as a contact lens which is adapted to be packed in a sterile saline solution and sealed in a compartment or cavity of the package.
It is essential to be able to ensure that the printing which is normally provided on the exterior of the package will safely withstand these above-mentioned conditions without either being completely obliterated or even only rendered partially illegible. Consequently, it is an important aspect that suitable kinds of printing be employed which will not only remain stable under such adverse physical conditions, but which will also avoid any deleterious effects to be imparted thereto. Thus, for instance, when the outer plastic film material layer at one side of the laminate is constituted so as to possess a printable and generally transparent nature; for instance, such as a polyester film. Currently employed types of printing are not sufficiently adequate to meet the stringent demands of industry. Thus, the utilization of laser printing does not always provide for a satisfactory printing result, while hot stamp printing produces impressions in the laminate which may adversely affect the mechanical sealing properties thereof with regard to the underlying surface portions of the package or container to which the laminate is to be heat sealed or bonded.

Method of double-sided printing of a laminate and product obtained thereby


An array of thin film actuated mirrors for use in an optical projection system is disclosed. The array includes: a substrate including an array of connecting terminals; an array of actuating structures, each of the actuating structures being provided with 4P+1 number of actuating parts and a light reflecting part, and further including a plurality of dividing slots, wherein odd numbered actuating parts deform in response to an electrical signal, and even numbered actuating parts tilt while remaining planar; and an array of pairs of supporting members, each of the supporting members in each pair being, respectively, located below the first and the (4P+1)th actuating parts in each of the actuating structures, thereby cantilevering the corresponding actuating structure in place. In the inventive array, the light reflecting part in each of the actuating structures, which is connected to the (2P+1)th actuating part, tilts at a larger angle, increasing the tilting efficiency of the array. Furthermore, when the electrical signal is applied to each of the actuating structures, the light reflecting part in each of the actuating structures tilts while remaining planar, which, in turn, increases the optical efficiency of the array.

Among the various video display systems available in the art, an optical projection system is known to be capable of providing a high quality display in a large scale. In such an optical projection system, light from a lamp is uniformly illuminated onto an array of, e.g., M x N, actuated mirrors such that each of the mirrors is coupled with each of the actuators. The actuators may be made of an electrodisplacive material such as a piezoelectric or an electrostrictive material which deforms in response to an electric field applied thereto.
The reflected light beam from each of the mirrors is incident upon an aperture of a baffle. By applying an electrical signal to each of the actuators, the relative position of each of the mirrors to the incident light beam is altered, thereby causing a deviation in the optical path of the reflected beam from each of the mirrors. As the optical path of each of the reflected beams is varied, the amount of light reflected from each of the mirrors which passes through the aperture is changed, thereby modulating the intensity of the beam. The modulated beams through the aperture are transmitted onto a projection screen via an appropriate optical device such as a projection lens, to thereby display an image thereon.
In FIG. 1, there is shown a cross sectional view of an array 10 of M x N thin film actuated mirrors 5 for use in an optical projection system, disclosed in a copending commonly owned application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/331,399, entitled "THIN FILM ACTUATED MIRROR ARRAY AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF", comprising: an active matrix 11 including a substrate 12, an array of M x N transistors (not shown) and an array 13 of M x N connecting terminals 14; an array 15 of M x N thin film actuating structures 16, each of the actuating structures 16 having at least a thin film layer 17 of a motion-inducing material, a first electrode 18 and a second electrode 19, the first and the second electrodes 18, 19 being placed on top and bottom of the thin film motion-inducing layer 17, respectively; an array 20 of M x N supporting members 21, each of the supporting members 21 being used for cantilevering the corresponding actuating structure 16 in place, and also for electrically connecting the actuating structure 16 and the active matrix 11; and an array 22 of M x N mirrors 23 for reflecting light beams, each of the mirrors 23 being placed on top of the actuating structure 16. In the thin film actuated mirror array 10, an electrical signal is applied across the thin film layer 17 of the motion-inducing material located between the pair of electrodes 18, 19 in each of the actuating structures 16, causing a deformation thereof, which will in turn deform the mirror 23 placed on top thereof, thereby changing the optical path of the incident light beam.
One of the major problems associated with the above described array 10 of M x N thin film actuated mirrors 5 is the overall optical efficiency of the array 10. When each of the actuating structures 16 deforms in response to the electric signal applied across the thin film motion-inducing layer 17 thereof, each of the mirrors 23 attached thereto also deforms. However, in the array 10, the portion of the mirror 23 secured to the supporting member 21 does not deform in response to the electric signal, but remains securely in place, and furthermore, the portion of the mirror 23 that deforms bends to thereby create a curved top surface for reflecting the light beams. As a result, the overall optical efficiency of the array 10 decreases, as well as, by the effective length of the mirror 23 being reduced by the length of the portion of the actuating structure 16 secured to the supporting member 21, but also by the curved top surface of the mirror 23 when it bends.

Array of thin film actuated mirrors having an improved optical efficiency and an increased performance


A device that allows a user to spread and level concrete in a standing position includes a beam formed of a pair of beam segments, each having an inboard end that may be removably joined to the inboard end of the opposing beam member at select locations to vary the length of the beam. Pivotally mounted to the outboard end of each beam segment is a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable between a plurality of angular positions allowing the beam to be manipulated within confined spaces and whereby the beam may also be used in an inverted position. A first beam segment includes an eye bolt for coupling with an external towing device to assist a user in pulling the beam across a heavy layer of concrete.

When concrete foundations, walkways or driveways are poured, the concrete pile must be immediately spread, leveled and finished. Typically, the leveling and smoothing process is performed with floats, screeds and a handheld trowel. Initially, the concrete pile is spread and leveled with an elongated board or plank. Such a task is strenuous and cumbersome since two workers must each grasp an end of the board and pull it across the concrete while in a kneeling, bending or seated position. Furthermore, manually spreading heavier concrete is often too strenuous for two workers.
The present invention overcomes the above enumerated problems of conventional leveling and finishing tools by providing a device that allows a user to level and smooth concrete while standing. Furthermore, the device includes an upwardly extending handle at each end allowing a pair of workers to pull the device across a pile of concrete while standing. The device is also adapted so that a winch cable or similar towing means may be secured thereto to assist the workers in spreading heavier concrete.
Although at least two devices exist in the prior art for leveling concrete in a standing position, such devices do not include all of the features and benefits afforded by the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,220,986 issued to Henderson relates to a tamper and templet for concrete work comprising an elongated plate secured to the lower surface of a body. The plate is slightly arcuate so as to form a crown in a roadway when the device is pulled across the asphalt. A handle angularly extends from each end of the plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,155,571 issued to Tullis relates to a float for striking off and finishing the surface of concrete pavements comprising a heavy sheet metal channel having upturned flanges at its lateral margins. The device includes handles at each end which are angularly adjustable.
Although at least two concrete or asphalt finishing devices exist in the prior art, both of which allow a user to smooth concrete in a standing position, these devices have numerous disadvantages. Neither of the above described devices are length adjustable for leveling various size slabs. Additionally, although both devices include a pivotable handle at each end, the handles are pivotable within a narrow range preventing either device from being manipulated within narrow spaces or corners. Furthermore, because only one side of either of the above described devices may be used as a leveling surface, the device must be cleaned more frequently. Finally, the prior art devices are not equipped to be used with external towing means according to the present invention.
The present invention relates to a device for spreading and leveling concrete comprising an elongated beam formed of a pair of elongated beam segments, each having an inboard end and an outboard end. Each beam segment includes a plurality of apertures along substantially its entire length for receiving a fastener means to join the inboard ends at select positions to vary the length of the beam depending upon the size of the slab being poured. The outboard end of each beam segment includes a handle assembly pivotally mounted thereto which may be pivoted between a plurality of angular positions. One of the beam segments includes a latch means to which an external towing device such as a come-along or winch cable may be attached. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable length device for leveling various size concrete slabs.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for leveling concrete having handles at each end that are pivotable within a wide range allowing the device to be used in an inverted position while also allowing the leveling device to be manipulated within narrow or confined areas.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for leveling concrete adapted to be used with an external towing device. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.


A seamless intermediate transfer member has a reinforcing member in an endless configuration, a filler material such as a polymer and electrical property regulating material to regulate the electrical properties such as surface and bulk resistivity, dielectric constant and charge dissipation. The seamless intermediate transfer member also has good mechanical properties. The reinforcing member can be prepared by any suitable method such as by weaving. Filler material and electrical regulating material can be applied on, around or embedded into the reinforcing member. The member can be employed in an electrostatographic imaging system with more than one toner imaging station. The member can pick up a separate image from each individual imaging station and transfer the combined image to a suitable substrate. The seamless intermediate transfer member is capable of dissipating charge between toner imaging stations, achieving good transfer efficiencies and has a non-stretch characteristic to attain good registration of a toner image.

This invention relates to reinforced seamless intermediate transfer members. More particularly, this invention relates to seamless reinforced intermediate transfer members for electrostatic transfer of a toner image, comprising a reinforcing member with filler material on, around or embedded in the reinforcing members and electrical regulating materials and methods of making the same.
Intermediate transfer members are well known and have been used extensively in electrophotographic imaging systems. For example, in dry electrophotographic printing machines, multicolor copying has been achieved with the utilization of an intermediate roller as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,367. In devices of this type, successive toner powder images are transferred in superimposed registration with one another, from the photoconductive drum to an intermediate roller. The multicolored image is then transferred to a copy sheet.
An example of a commercial machine which uses an intermediate transfer belt to generate one full color print is the Sharp CX 7500. The Sharp CX 7500 comprises a single photoreceptor. An intermediate transfer member is supported for movement in an endless path such that incremental portions thereof move past the photoreceptor four times enabling sequential transfer of four different color toner images to the intermediate transfer member in superimposed registration with one another.
Other examples of apparatuses using belts as intermediate transfer members can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,238; 4,690,539; 4,183,658; 5,099,286; and 5,119,140.
It has been a goal of workers in this art to develop a seamless intermediate transfer member which optimally satisfies both desirable mechanical properties, such as tensile modulus as well as desirable electrical properties such as surface and bulk resistivity. Such a seamless member also would provide a more reliable electrophotographic imaging device since there would be no mechanical failure of the member at the seam, no thickness increase to cause clearance problems or motion noise and no undesirable toner build-up at the seam.
Many belts are formed by molding or lamination. Such molding is carried out in complex and expensive molds. Molded articles contain flashings that require removal to achieve a smooth outer surface. Laminated belts are usually prepared by applying alternate layers of thermoplastic sheets and reinforcing fabrics. These materials are relatively thick and stiff, and are not suitable for extended cycling over small diameter pulleys or rolls. Belts also have been prepared by welding opposite ends of sheets together to form belts having an undesirable seam which projects above the surface of the belt.
The resulting welded seam on the intermediate transfer member disrupts the continuity of the outer surface of the intermediate transfer member and must be indexed so that it does not print out during an imaging cycle. In other words, efficient stream feeding of paper and throughput are adversely affected because of a necessity to detect a seam within the length of each sheet of paper. Seam detection is a particularly vexing problem for smaller copier and printer designs. A mechanical and optical device is required for indexing the seam and adds to the complexity and cost of copiers, duplicators and printers, and reduces the flexibility of design. Welded belts also are less desirable for electrophotographic imaging systems because the seam forms a weak point in the belt and also collects toner debris during cleaning, particularly with wiper blade cleaning devices. The seam and wiper blade interaction also causes a disruption in motion quality which impacts registration and timing in applications where multiple images must be closely referred to each other.
Examples of intermediate transfer members can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,702 which discloses an intermediate transfer roll for non-electrostatic transfer of toned images and U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,761 which discloses an intermediate transfer belt having a polyimide film substrate coated with 0.1-10 mils of silicone rubber or a fluoroelastomer.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,238 and 4,690,539 disclose intermediate transfer belts composed of polyethylene terephthalate or other suitable polypropylene material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,140 discloses a single layer, non-reinforced intermediate transfer belt preferably fabricated from clear Tedlar, carbon loaded Tedlar or pigmented Tedlar. Such single layer, non-reinforced transfer belts have the disadvantage that their dimensions can change during the printing process resulting in image distortion printed substrates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,286 discloses an intermediate transfer belt comprising electrically conductive urethane rubber reportedly having a volume resistivity of 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.4 ohm-cm and a dielectric layer of polytetrafluoroethylene reportedly having a volume resistivity equal to or greater than 10.sup.14 ohm-cm. These volume resistivities can lead to equal electrical potentials over the whole belt when a potential is applied at any point along the belt. This makes it impossible to generate different potentials in different areas along the belt for effective tandem image toner transfer.
None of these patents disclose or suggest an intermediate transfer member having both good mechanical properties and good electrical properties.
Consequently, there is still a need for a seamless intermediate transfer member having improved mechanical as well as electrical properties.

Reinforced seamless intermediate transfer member


The present disclosure discloses a folding chair comprising a seat plate, a back plate, two front legs, and two rear legs. Each of the two front legs is connected with a joint. The joint is disposed between the back plate and the seat plate, and the joint extends rearward to form an extension portion. A rear end of the extension portion is rotatably connected to a top end of a corresponding one of the two rear legs, and a barrier extends from a rear edge of each of the two front legs or a front edge of each of the two rear legs. When the folding chair is folded, the barrier separates each of the two front legs from a corresponding one of the two rear legs and provides an accommodation space for fingers between each of the two front legs and the corresponding one of the two rear legs.

The traditional folding chair comprises front legs, rear legs and a seat plate. After the traditional folding chair is folded, the front legs and the rear legs can be brought together to be vertically placed, and the seat plate can also be turned upward to be vertically placed. As such, a footprint of the traditional folding chair is greatly reduced, which is convenient for transportation and storage. The folding chair is widely used and has a long history, and it brings great convenience to the user.
When the folding chair is in a folding state, the front legs and the rear legs of the folding chair are close together, and a gap between the front legs and the rear legs is very small. When the folding chair is transported or folded, the front legs and the rear legs are held by a hand of a user, and the fingers are easily pinched by the front legs and the rear legs. Therefore, it may potentially cause harm to people, especially children.


A process for manufacturing a shaped metal can by carrying out at least one step of locally and successively expanding elementary regions of a peripheral wall.

It is known in the art to make shaped metal cans consisting of a peripheral wall having at least one expanded region, a bottom crimped or seamed onto one end of the peripheral wall and a lid crimped or seamed onto the other end of said peripheral wall. The lid is provided for example with a device which is easily opened by rupture of a line of reduced strength or for example with a tapped neck for receiving a screwed stopper. The peripheral wall of this type of metal can is generally constituted by a cylindrical sleeve welded longitudinally and including at least one expanded region. Usually the peripheral wall is made from a metal blank of soft steel having a low carbon content and a yield strength of about 250 MPa.
Soft steel of this type permits effecting, without great difficulty, a local expansion of the welded cylindrical sleeve with an expansion ratio calculated from the formula ##EQU1## which may be as much as 20%, "initial D" being the initial diameter of the welded sleeve and "final D" being the diameter of the welded peripheral wall after expansion.
To manufacture this type of shaped can, the welded sleeve is produced and expanded locally to form a peripheral wall or skirt comprising at least one expanded region, and the bottom and lid are respectively crimped or seamed onto each end of the peripheral wall.
The expanded region is usually formed by effecting an overall expansion on the whole of the height of the region to be expanded, by a forming process employing air or nitrogen under pressure or by a forming process employing an incompressible fluid or by a mechanical expansion process employing a tool having sectors.
It is also known to make shaped metal cans consisting of, on one hand, a bottom and a peripheral wall in one piece with said bottom and, on the other hand, a lid crimped or seamed onto the peripheral wall. The bottom and the peripheral wall in one piece (integral) with the bottom are made from a cup cut from a metal blank or strip, e.g., either by drawing and redrawing or by drawing and ironing. However, when making this type of can with the drawing and redrawing technique, after the forming of the peripheral wall, the metal is in a highly work-hardened state so that the yield strength of said peripheral wall is about 600 MPa. The possible overall expansion ratio of such a peripheral wall is only about 2.5%. When making this type of can by the drawing and ironing technique, after the drawing of the peripheral wall, the metal is in an even more highly work-hardened state so that the yield strength of the peripheral wall is about 700 MPa and sometimes even more, which imparts to this wall a substantially zero expansion capability. The possible overall expansion ratio of such a peripheral wall is lower than 1% and for very small thicknesses lower than 0.5%. Such low expansion ratios are generally unacceptable and preclude substantial can volume increases and wall thinning.
On the other hand, the advantage of a metal can produced by the drawing and redrawing technique or by the drawing and ironing technique is that it permits very small thicknesses since the metal of the can is very stiff with very high mechanical characteristics, which results in light weight and a low expenditure of material. Further, such a can is made in two parts, the bottom and the peripheral wall being in one piece, which is an advantage from an aesthetic point of view.

Process for manufacturing a shaped metal can


A transport container for cut flowers includes at least one substantially watertight first container part (10) for receiving stems of cut flowers and a second container part (30), which at least during transport at least largely surrounds the cut flowers. The second container part includes a hollow base portion (20) which substantially receives the first container part on an upper surface thereof. The manually removable base portion (20) connects with a bottom of the second container part (30) and surrounds the cut flowers at least over a part of their length. Optionally, a collar element (40) is placed on the sleeve element.

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to a transport container for cut flowers comprising at least one substantially watertight first container part for receiving the stems of cut flowers as well as a second container part, which at least during transport largely surrounds the cut flowers.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to keep cut flowers fresh during transport, they are preferably transported in water, especially in the case of long distances. It is in addition preferred to transport flowers in transport containers to protect the flowers against damage. This usually involves a transport container in the form of a cardboard box, on whose floor a watertight bucket is placed. The bucket constitutes a first container part and is filled with water for receiving the stems of the flowers. The box forms a second container part, whose height is adapted to the length of the flowers such that during transport they are concealed therein and protected against damage.
A drawback of this known transport container is that not infrequently water spills from the bucket into the packaging due to, for example, jolting and shaking during transport and transfer causing the cardboard packaging to soften at the expense of the stability of the packaging. In addition, the flowers have to be unpacked at their place of destination, which is not only time-consuming but also leaves much packaging waste.
Another problem is that the cut flowers may become damaged when the bucket with flowers is being placed into the packaging and when the bucket with the cut flowers is being taken out of the packaging. This is related to the long stems that cut flowers may have, so that during handling of the bucket the cut flowers may become spoiled.

Transport container for cut flowers, and method for the enclosure of cut flowers in a packaging


A motor vehicle lock with a blocking element (2), with a electrical opening drive (3) for the blocking element (2), with control electronics (8) in the motor vehicle lock or separately from it in the motor vehicle, by which individual functions of the motor vehicle lock can be electrically triggered, and a lock mechanism by which individual functions can also be mechanically triggered. The opening drive (3) has a drive element (6) which can be driven in two opposing directions of motion, movement of the drive element in the first direction of motion releases or open the blocking element (2) and movement in the second direction of motion turns on (or off) the second function of the motor vehicle lock. The lock has an especially simple structure since turning off the second function takes place without moving the opening drive (3) in the second direction of motion exclusively by electrical control.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with an electrical opening drive.
2. Description of Related Art
First of all, in general, motor vehicle locks basically have a lock mechanism by which the motor vehicle lock is to be switched into various operating states, for example, into the operating states double lock (DL), child safety (CS), center lock (CL) and unlock (UL) In the operating state UL, the door can be opened by actuating the inside door handle and the outside door handle. In the operating state CL, it is not possible to open from the outside, but it can be opened from the inside. In the operating state CS, it is possible to open the door from the outside, but not from the inside. In the operating state DL, it is not possible to open the door from either the outside or from the inside, so that, even when the window is smashed, the motor vehicle door cannot be opened.
Motor vehicle locks of the type under consideration are often equipped with an electric opening drive. Use of such locks began for rear hatch locks and rear door locks, but such use has since been expanded to motor vehicle side door locks which have a so-called OBW (open by wire) drive (electric motorized opening aid). These motor vehicle locks are acquiring great importance especially in conjunction with a passive entry system.
Basically, work has been underway for a long time on motor vehicle locks which operate exclusively electrically, i.e., they no longer have a lock mechanism. In terms of the basic principle, these motor vehicle locks have been known since the 1970's. They have only latches and ratchets and the electric motorized opening drive is for the ratchet (rotary drive, linear drive, solenoid, etc). All operating states are implemented exclusively electronically by the control electronics which clears or blocks access to the electrical opening drive.
Safety engineering considerations, as before, result in the fact that motor vehicle locks with an electrical opening drive are not made as purely electrical locks, and at least for key functions, have a mechanical redundancy. Then, there is at least another lock mechanism by which individual functions can also be mechanically triggered in any case in an emergency.
On the one hand, it is desirable for the motor vehicle lock to have a structure which is as simple as possible; this would militate in favor of a pure electric lock. On the other hand, safety engineering requirements must be met; this requires a lock mechanism and furthermore, entails the necessity of also being able to trigger the various operating states mechanically and electromechanically.
In individual cases, to trigger all functions including the electrical opening drive, three electric motorized drives are necessary, specifically an electromechanical central locking drive (for UL and CL), an electromechanical double lock drive (for DL and CS), and the electrical opening drive. It can be imagined what costs such a motor vehicle lock would engender.
Therefore, efforts are being directed at making do with as small a number of electric drives as possible, in spite of performing all functions and in spite of implementing sufficient mechanical redundancy. In addition, there is the desire to have to use as few microswitches or proximity electronic switches as possible for controlling the electric drive motors. Accordingly, it is preferred to have the operating states achieved as much as possible by blocking operations. In a blocking operation, the drive element which is driven by the electric drive motor runs against a more or less stationary stop. By monitoring the torque, preferably by current monitoring of the electric drive motor and/or by a timing circuit, then the electric drive motor is turned off in a quite specific position. Generally, resetting of the electric drive motor into a neutral position will preferably take place. However, resetting need not be approached especially accurately, it can even be accomplished mechanically by spring force resetting. With control of the electric drive motor in a blocking operation, at the same, time temperature-induced fluctuations are avoided in the position of the drive element which result in inevitable overtravel of the electric drive motor after being turned off by means of a switch.
One interesting step in the above explained development trend has already been made (European Patent EP 1 113 133 B1). In the motor vehicle lock there, from which the invention proceeds, the second function of the electrical opening drive is a child safety function. However, there is the problem that the child safety function can only be turned on by moving the drive element in the second direction of motion because the first direction of motion is "reserved" for the opening drive function. This problem is solved in the above explained design of a motor vehicle lock by a type of "ballpoint pen mechanism" of the child safety actuation. The second function is turned off in the same direction with turning-on in turn against a resetting spring force. This design is imaginative, but requires complex additional mechanical engineering in the form of the ballpoint pen mechanism.
Another approach consists in working with a "floating" blocking stop (European Patent EP 1 061 212 B1). The floating blocking stop results in the desired stop for implementing block operation for turning off the electric drive in the intermediate position. In this way, the turn-off position can be defined at almost any location which can be established beforehand, without using a switch. Implementation of an additional floating blocking stop is, of course, complex in mechanical-construction terms.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,387 (commonly owned) describes an especially feasible electric motorized actuator for a motor vehicle lock and the contents of this patent are hereby incorporated by reference into this application. With this actuator not only can operating states CL and UL of a motor vehicle lock be implemented, but also the operating state DL in any case. For this, a certain feasible control crank which has a catch is implemented, the double lock lever being kept in the operating state CL by latching after mechanical-manual shifting from the operating state DL into the operating state CL.

Motor vehicle lock with electrical opening drive


A liquid crystal composition which comprises as a first component at least one or more compounds represented by formula (1') ##STR1## wherein n represents an integer of 1-10; X represents H or F; or m represents 1 or 2 and as a second component at least one or more compounds represented by formulas (2-1) to (2-5) in which n represents an integer of 1-10. ##STR2##

A variety of liquid crystal display elements (LCD) including a twisted nematic (TN) mode, a super twisted nematic (STN) mode, a thin-film transistor (TFT) mode or the like have been put to practical use, because of having lower power consumption, permitting smaller and lighter as compared with a CRT (cathode-ray tube mode display). Among them, an active-matrix LCD (AM-LCD) such as TFT or the like are getting colored and sophisticated, to which attention has been drawn as a prospective flat display.
The characteristics required for the liquid crystal compositions for AM-LCD are recited below.
1) A voltage holding ratio (V.H.R.) is high to maintain high contrast of LCD. PA0 2) A nematic liquid crystal phase range is broad depending on the environment in which the liquid crystal composition is used. PA0 3) A suitable optical anisotropy (.DELTA.n) is acceptable depending on the cell thickness; and PA0 4) A suitable threshold voltage is acceptable depending on the driver. PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-ethylcyclohexyl))benzoate, Cr 79.3-79.6 Iso; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-butylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl))benzoate, Cr 73.8-74.7N 85.0-85.1 Iso; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-hexylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-octylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-nonylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-decylcyclohexyl))benzoate. PA0 2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzonitrile, in place of 2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)benzonitrile. PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-ethylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-butylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl))benzoate Cr 76.8-77.1(N 63.1-63.8) Iso; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-hexylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-octylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-nonylcyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-decylcyclohexyl))benzoate. PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)cycloh exyl)benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cycloh exyl))benzoate, Cr 110.1-110.9N 248.9-249.7 Iso; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-butylcyclohexy l)cyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohex yl)cyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-hexylcyclohexyl)cyclohe xyl)benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl)cycloh exyl)benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-octylcyclohexyl)cyclohe xyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-nonylcyclohexyl)cyclohe xyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2-fluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-decylcyclohexyl)cyclohe xyl)benzoate. PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)cy clohexyl)benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-ethylcyclohexyl)cyc lohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-propylcycl ohexyl)cyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-butylcyclo hexyl)cyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-pentylcycl ohexyl)cyclohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-hexylcyclohexyl)cyc lohexyl)benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl)cy clohexyl)benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-octylcyclohexyl)cyc lohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-nonylcyclohexyl)cyc lohexyl))benzoate; PA0 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-(trans-4-(trans-4-decylcyclohexyl)cyc lohexyl)benzoate.
As an operation system for AM-LCD, a TN display system is employed in which the alignment of a liquid crystalline molecule in the upper and lower substrates is twisted 90.degree.. According to the report by C. H. Gooch and H. A. Tarry in Appl. Phys., Vol. 8, pp. 1575-1584 (1975), the TN display system requires to set a product .DELTA.n.multidot.d of an optical anisotropy (.DELTA.n) and a cell thickness (d).mu.m at a predetermined value (e.g., .DELTA.n.multidot.d=0.5 .mu.m) in order to prevent coloration due to the interference of liquid crystal cell when no voltage is applied, thereby obtaining an optimum contrast. The .DELTA.n of the liquid crystal composition for TFT which is now put to practical use under such limitation ranges from about 0.07 to about 0.11, principally 0.08 to 0.10, for a cell operating near at the first minimum point of the transmission described in the above reference.
In recent years, the application of LCD has been extensive with the development of a notebook type personal computer which is characterized by small size, light weight and portability. LCD for the purpose of portability undergoes the restriction of characteristics by a driving power sourse. Since the long-term use requires a lower power consumption, a liquid crystal composition having a low threshold voltage is demanded. Further, liquid crystals having a low threshold voltage are required to achieve lighther weight and lower cost of the driving power sourse.
With the portability, the development has been considered for the purpose of outdoor use. To make liquid crystals tolerable to outdoor use, it is required that they exhibit a nematic phase in the ranges exceeding the temperature range under use environment. In such circumstances, the liquid crystal compositions for TFT which are now put to practical use have a nematic phase transition temperature wherein the upper limit (clearing point T.sub.NI) is not lower than 60.degree. C. and the lower limit (T.sub.L) is not higher than -20.degree. C.
In such background, Japanese Patent Kokai 2-233626 discloses trifluoro compounds having a relatively high dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.), in which Example 2 illustrates a composition comprising 15% by weight of a trifluoro compound and 85% by weight of a difluoro compound, but the composition has the problems of high threshold voltage, poor compatibility at lower temperature and narrow nematic phase range.
WO 94/03558 discloses a composition comprising trifluoro and difluoro compounds. The compositions illustrated in Examples 1 and 2 are low in the threshold voltage, but have the problems that the clearing point is not higher than 50.degree. C. and .DELTA.n is not higher than 0.06.
Thus, the liquid crystal compositions have been investigated according to various purposes, and under the present circumstances, new improvement has been required.

Liquid crystal compositions and liquid crystal display elements


A data backup apparatus determines whether a version serial number of data backed up in a network management system matches a version serial number of data stored in a data version serial number management field of an update history management area, upon having the network management system back up update data generated in a data processing apparatus. Upon a match of the version serial numbers of respective data, the data processing apparatus transfers only update data stored in the data update history management area via a communications link to the network management system. Upon a mismatch of the version serial numbers of respective data, the data processing apparatus transfers all data, including data other than update data, stored in an EEPROM of the data processing apparatus, to the network management system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data backup method for having a data storage apparatus back up data stored in a data processing apparatus by transferring them via a communications link and to the data processing apparatus using the data backup method.
2. Description of the Related Arts
An increase in the processing capabilities of a data processing apparatus has produced an increase in a data volume processed by one or more data processing apparatuses and thus an increase in importance of a data backup. Especially, a system comprising a plurality of data processing apparatuses connected to a network may cause the entire network to shut down, unless data lost due to a fault in the data processing apparatus or the network are restored expeditiously. Thus, a network provides a data storage apparatus for backing up the newest data to be retrieved immediately after a data loss due to a fault, thereby preventing a system from shutting down.
To ensure the newest data are stored at all times for an expeditious retrieval, such a system connected to a network requires a data storage apparatus to store update data transferred from a data processing apparatus via a communications link. However, a data transfer from a data processing apparatus to a data storage apparatus upon every data change causes data backup times to occupy a large portion of an available window of a communications link, which is disadvantageous as evidenced by a lowered efficiency in utilizing a communications link.

Backup method and apparatus allowing only replaced data to be transferred


Disclosed are imidazopyridazinyl compounds of Formula (I): (I), or pharmaceutically salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein R3 is C2-4alkenyl or a cyclic group, and R1 and R2 are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds in the treatment of at least one CYP17 associated condition, such as, for example, cancer, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related mortality in American men. In 2007, there were 218,890 new cases with 27,000 deaths associated with prostate cancer. It is well known that androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, drive the growth of the prostate as well as prostate cancer at the level of the androgen receptor. The standard of care for advanced hormone sensitive prostate cancer involves surgical or chemical castration with a leutenizing releasing hormone agonist/antagonist to remove the androgens produced in the gonads from circulation. However, approximately 90% of androgens are produced in the testes with the remaining 10% being produced through the action of the adrenal gland. Thus, castration does not alleviate the action of all androgens. Further once a patient progresses to castration resistant prostate cancer, androgens are also produced at the level of the tumor, making treatment with antiandrogens more difficult.
The cytochrome P450 CYP17 is responsible for the biosynthesis of both dihydroepiandrostenedione and androstenedione which are precursors of both androgens and estrogen. Thus the production of all androgens and estrogens produced in the human body is mediated by CYP17. Blocking this enzyme would inhibit the production of gonadal, adrenal and tumoral androgens and could offer a new treatment option for prostate cancer and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients.
Clinical proof-of-concept for CYP17 as a target for prostate cancer has been achieved with the antifungal ketoconazole and the steroidal CYP17 inhibitor abiraterone, which has progressed to Phase III clinical trials for prostate cancer.
There remains a need for compounds that are useful as inhibitors of CYP17 enzymes.
Applicants have found potent compounds that have activity as CYP17 inhibitors. These compounds are provided to be useful as pharmaceuticals with desired stability, bioavailability, therapeutic index, and toxicity values that are important to their drugability.


A transportable system has a power distribution system with a power distribution unit and a power module. The power module is configured to provide energy in the form of rotational motion to the power distribution system. The power distribution unit has one or more power converters and an input connection. The power distribution unit is coupled to the power module, and the rotational energy from the power module is transferred to the one or more power converters via the input connection.

Equipment used in oilfield well services were powered by primary energy sources as the prime mover. Changes have attempted to utilize a secondary energy source generated remotely from the service equipment. Usage of either primary or secondary energy sources has created service equipment specific to each of those energy source types. Specific service equipment utilizing one of the designated energy source types increases total cost and lowers overall unit optimization.
While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.

Oilfield equipment configurable to receive power modules to utilize primary and secondary energy sources


A device may determine a baseline size of a font, obtain a distance between a user and a mobile device when the baseline size is determined, determine, via a sensor, a current distance between the mobile device and the user, determine a target size of the font based on the current distance, the distance, and the baseline size, set a current size of the font to the target size of the font, and display, on the mobile device, characters in the font having the target size.

Many of today's hand-held communication devices can automatically perform tasks that, in the past, were performed by the users. For example, a smart phone may monitor its input components (e.g., a keypad, touch screen, control buttons, etc.) to determine whether the user is actively using the phone. If the user has not activated one or more of its input components within a prescribed period of time, the smart phone may curtail its power consumption (e.g., turn off the display). In the past, a user had to turn off a cellular phone in order to prevent the phone from unnecessarily consuming power.
In another example, a smart phone may show images in either the portrait mode or the landscape mode, adapting the orientation of its images relative to the direction in which the smart phone is held by the user. In the past, the user had to adjust the direction in which the phone was held, for the user to view the images in their proper orientation.


A shaped acoustic absorber assembly is provided with broadband absorption. The assembly includes an acoustic panel defining a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of tubular quarter-wavelength resonators of variable lengths provided respectively aligned with the plurality of apertures and coupled to the acoustic panel. Each tubular quarter-wavelength resonator includes at least one perimeter boundary wall extending in a longitudinal length direction and defining a chamber cavity having a chamber volume. A first end defines an opening aligned with one of the plurality of apertures and coupled to the acoustic panel. A second end is provided opposite the first end, and is sealed and configured for being located adjacent a target substrate. Methods are provided for shaping the tubular quarter-wavelength resonators to coordinate with a geometry and dimensions of a target substrate and then preserving a shape of the tubular quarter-wavelength resonators in a structurally rigid configuration.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it may be described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present technology.
Current broadband acoustic absorbers are almost exclusively provided in the form of a panel, which needs to be compact. The conventional approach of designing a compact broadband absorber is based on using multiple resonators having different physical dimensions. A complexity in the fabrication of such absorbers arises because the resonators may need to be combined in such a way that some may be straight and some may be shaped or bended in order to accommodate the different size of resonators that are needed in a given small space. Each different method of constructing an acoustic absorber with multiple resonators may require custom needs. In additions, problems may arise during installation, when acoustic absorbers need to be installed surrounding structures that may be of arbitrary shapes. While some resonators are available with different lengths and physical dimensions, they are not allowed to bend or be re-shaped after fabrication.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved acoustic system having the ability to be shaped for applications requiring a non-planar absorbing panel, as well as for use with a broad frequency absorption range.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


A mechanism for adjusting the height of at least a part of an item or article, for example a home appliance such as a refrigerator, dishwasher or laundry washing machine. The device includes two parts and is adapted to replace at least a front foot of the item. A first part of the device is an enlarged diameter thumb wheel which is rotated by a user. The thumb wheel is held within a captive nut within the appliance thus rotation of the thumb wheel increases or decreases the height of the appliance from the floor. The second part of the device is a disk which is held captive within the thumb wheel but which is in contact with the floor. The materials selected and the geometry of the mating surfaces of the two components is chosen such that a low co-efficient of friction is produced between them.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to height adjustment or levelling mechanisms for equipment and more particularly though not solely to height adjustment or levelling mechanisms for home appliances such as refrigerators.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modern levelling foot devices for home appliances, in addition to providing height adjustment of the appliance, increasingly include the addition of wheels or castors to allow the appliance to be moved. However, in order for the levelling foot device to be of benefit to the average household member, the mechanism must be readily accessible and easily adjusted. Early height adjustment mechanisms for home appliances simply consisted of a captive nut in the base of the front of the appliance into which a bolt could be wound (usually requiring a hand tool) to adjust the height (with the bolt head acting as a foot on the ground and rotation of the bolt head adjusting the distance between the head and the captive nut). This system usually requires one person to lift and hold the front of the appliance while a second person adjusts the height of the feet.
Improvements to the above system are disclosed in United States patent numbers U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,578 (Westinghouse Electric Corporation), U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,248 (Labelle), U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,270 (General Electric Company), U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,879 (White Consolidated Industries) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,367 (Amana Refrigeration Inc.). Each of the above mechanisms suffer from unnecessary complexity and/or difficulty of use (usually requiring hand tools for adjustment).
An example of a combination height adjustment and roller support mechanism for a refrigerator is disclosed in our New Zealand patent No.239676 published on Feb. 24, 1995 (equivalent to Australian patent No.644541 issued Apr. 22, 1994). The device described therein includes a rotatable hand wheel at the base of the front of the appliance which a user rotates by hand to adjust the height of the front of the appliance (assisted by a fulcrum arrangement). However, it has been found that the user sometimes has difficulty in rotating the hand wheel due to the frictional coupling between the shaft of the hand wheel and its housing within the refrigerator cabinet.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide height adjustment apparatus for equipment which will go at least some way towards overcoming the above disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
Accordingly, the invention consists in height adjustment apparatus for varying the height of at least a part of an item of equipment above a support surface, comprising:
fixed locating means which in use is mounted in a base of said item of equipment,
threaded shaft means, adapted to be received by said locating means so that relative rotation there between produces axial movement of said shaft means in relation to said base,
rotatable adjusting means having an end of said threaded shaft means fixed therein and a first bearing surface,
support surface contacting means adapted to contact said support surface and having a second bearing surface, said second bearing surface adapted to contact said first bearing surface to allow relative rotational movement between said rotatable adjusting means and said support surface contacting means, rotation of said rotatable adjusting means thereby adjusting the height of said at least part of an item of equipment.
The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

Height adjustment or levelling apparatus


A computer-implemented method is provided for generating patient models from multiple imaging contrast sources which may be, for example from magnetic resonance imaging without computed tomography. The method includes: acquiring multiple sets of image data representing a volume of a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, wherein each set of image data is acquired in a different manner so as to create contrast amongst tissue types of the patient; classifying tissue in each voxel in the volume using the multiple sets of image data as input to a classification algorithm; and generating a patient model for the volume from probability distributions of the classes of tissue as derived from the classification algorithm.

Precision radiation therapy (RT) planning relies on patient models that accurately represent the geometric distribution of cancerous and normal tissues, and which provide information to estimate the radiation transport of the treatment beams through the patient. Computed tomography (CT) scanning has been the primary means of providing these patient models, due to its reasonably known geometric accuracy and relationship between image signals and radiation attenuation. Significant limitations exist with radiation therapy based on CT, however, due to its lack of soft tissue contrast for adequately discriminating tissue types. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) not only provides improved contrast between tissue types, it also may serve as an important physiological and molecular biomarker for therapy assessment and adaptation, and may more conveniently assess physiological movement of organs and tumors.
Therefore, it is desirable to develop techniques for generating patient models from magnetic resonance imaging to support treatment planning for radiation therapy. This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Patient modeling from multispectral input image volumes

The Regents of The University of Michigan


A catheter introducer set is disclosed. The device comprises a cannula for insertion into a blood vessel, a tube in fluid communication with the cannula and a needle for assisting in the introduction of the cannula into the vessel. Between the cannula and the tube is an intermediate member which allows the needle to be gripped so that it can be inserted into the blood vessel. The intermediate member preferably has a pair of wings to facilitate the gripping of the needle. The needle has an opening or openings in it to allow a user to observe blood flashback during insertion of the needle into the blood vessel. The intermediate member is made of polyurethane and is provided with a groove to facilitate the gripping of the needle. The wings have ramps on them to facilitate the gripping of the needle. Ribs are also provided between the ramp and the intermediate member to facilitate gripping. The wings describe an angle of less than 180 degrees.

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical catheters. In particular it relates to a catheter for providing access to a blood vessel and the like and having features which facilitate its introduction into the vessel.
Winged infusion sets are commonly used by the medical profession for the infusion of medication and the drawing of fluids from vessels. A species of such devices (a "scalp vein set") may comprise a needle with wings attached to it. Attached to the needle, and in fluid communication with the needle bore is a translucent tube through which medication can be infused or fluids drawn. Another species (a winged catheter introducer), comprises a flexible cannula attached to a winged member and a translucent tube. Inside the cannula is a needle with a wire attached to it. The needle aids in the insertion of the catheter into a vessel and is withdrawn by pulling the wire once the cannula has been successfully introduced into the vessel.
Such devices are introduced into the vessel as follows: The wings are gripped between the practitioner's forefinger and thumb. The practitioner uses the needle to pierce the skin in the vicinity of the vessel to be accessed. When the vessel is penetrated, the pressure in the vessel will cause blood to flow up the needle bore and into the translucent tubing. The practitioner verifies the penetration of the vessel by looking for blood "flashback" in the tubing. Once the device is satisfactorily positioned in the vessel it may be left there for some time. In the case of a winged catheter introducer, the needle is withdrawn from the cannula.
A device of the second species is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,177,809 and 5,163,913, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such devices are sold under the trademarks Intima.TM. and Angioset.RTM. by Becton Dickinson & Co. of Franklin Lakes, N.J.
The gripping of the needle to facilitate insertion of the cannula is accomplished by the use of wedges on the wings which impinge on the plastic sheath surrounding the needle when the wings are brought towards each other. The needle is gripped by the inner surface of the sheath which is distorted by the wedges. This structure requires that the wings be brought towards each other in the right direction or the needle will not be gripped. Using devices of the prior art, practitioners and nurses tend to bring the wings towards each other in the wrong direction. There is therefore a need to provide an incentive to practitioners and nurses to bring the wings towards each other in the right direction to ensure that the needle is gripped properly.

Winged catheter introducer with pre-bent wings


A waiting link to support an engine on an aircraft includes a body portion including a first body portion opening, a second body portion opening, and a space therebetween. A first bearing is received in the first body portion opening and moveable in a generally vertical direction. A second bearing is received in the second body portion opening. The first and second bearings include a first and second bearing opening, respectively, that receives a first and second attachment member, respectively, that secures the body portion to a first and second structure, respectively. A cam is located in the space. The cam is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The waiting link does not provide a load path when the cam is in the first position, and when a primary load path fails, the waiting link provides the load path when the cam is in the second position.

A gas turbine engine is generally mounted to a pylon that is attached to an aircraft frame of an aircraft. Engine mount systems incorporate a backup system that provides a redundant secondary load path if a primary load path fails. The secondary load path is not engaged under normal load conditions or limit maneuver load conditions. In one example, the backup system includes a waiting link having a gap provided at the bottom of the waiting link that prevents engagement of the secondary load path.
For an aft engine mount, the waiting link is positioned between two primary links. In one example, the waiting link is located between the V3 and V2S4 links. If one or both of the primary links fails, movement of the gas turbine engine closes the gap at the bottom of the waiting link to engage the secondary load path. The engagement of the waiting link is not detected until the aircraft is visually inspected
When the waiting link is engaged, vertical loads will move the gas turbine engine upwardly or downwardly, and a substantial vertical load can bottom out a ball bearing at either a top location or a bottom location of the waiting link. The kinetic energy associated with this movement could result in an impact force that is higher than the design load. A dynamic amplification factor is applied to the static load, as well as the fatigue spectrum, to ensure the lug joint has adequate capability.

Secondary load path for gas turbine engine


A rotary/push operating device (10) for a man-machine interface, in particular for an operating unit of a vehicle, comprises a manually operable rotary/push element (12) which can be rotated about a rotational axis (15) and which can be pushed down in the direction of the rotational axis (15), and a rolling-body bearing (14) which defines the rotational axis (15) and which comprises a immobile bearing ring (18), a movable bearing ring (20), and a rolling-body cage (22) arranged between said bearing rings. The rotary/push element (12) is coupled to the movable bearing ring (20) in such a manner that the rotary/push element (12) will move together with the movable bearing ring (20) when, during rotation of the rotary/push element (12), the movable bearing ring (20) rotates or is axially moved in the direction of the rotational axis (15).

From DE-A-102 61 284, a rotary operating element is known which upon application of a force can be moved along its rotational axis. Said operating element comprises a toothed portion arranged in engagement with a gear so that the rotation of the operating element will be transmitted onto the gear. In this configuration, the rotational axis of the gear is disposed parallel to, and laterally of, the rotational axis of the operating element. This measure allows for a movement of the operating element along its rotational axis. Said toothed portion preferably forms a gear itself, thus allowing for a full rotation of the operating element. However, a disadvantage of this known operating element resides in that the rotation and the movement of the operating element in the axial direction are realized by the cooperation of a plurality of gears and the construction will thus be overly complex.
Known from DE-A-102 12 992 is a rotary operating element comprising a immobile inner portion and a rotatable ring element and respectively sleeve element as an outer portion, the latter being supported on said inner portion by means of a rolling bearing.

Rotary/push operating device for a man-machine interface

Abstract: The rolling-body cage (22) comprises a plurality of rolling bodies (24) arranged in at least one radial plane of the rolling-body cage (22). The immobile bearing ring (18) and the movable bearing ring (20) form at least one circular moving channel (27,28) in which the rolling bodies (24), during rotation of the rotary/push element (12) in the circumferential direction of the two bearing rings (18,20), are movable with rolling movements on opposite moving tracks (29,30,31,32) of the two bearing rings (18,20), and, when the rotary/push element (12) is being pushed down in the direction of the rotational axis (15), can move on the moving tracks (29,30,31,32) at a right angle relative to said circumferential direction.

Abstract: For limiting the movement of the rotary/push element (12) in the direction of the rotational axis (15) between a base position and a push-down position, the rotary/push operating device (10) further comprises end abutment elements (45).


A lens drive device for an optical information recording and/or reproducing head, which has a cylindrical lens holder for the support of an objective lens assembly and a tubular guide bearing receiving the lens holder for sliding and rotary motions in a direction parallel to and about the longitudinal axis of the lens holder. The device also has magnetic yokes positioned on respective sides of the guide bearing and each having tracking and focusing coils wound therearound. The lens holder has two permanent magnets embedded therein with their respective different poles exposed radially outwardly from a peripheral surface of the lens holder. The guide bearing has two windows defined therein at respective locations corresponding to the respective positions of the permanent magnets in the lens holder. When the focusing coils on the respective yokes are energized, the lens holder can be driven in a focusing direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lens holder, while when the tracking coils on the respective yokes are energized, the lens holder can be driven in a tracking direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lens holder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical head in an optical disc player for optically recording and/or reproducing information on a disc-shaped recording medium and, more particularly, to a lens drive device used in the optical head.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The lens drive device currently used in the optical head in an optical disc player generally comprises an objective lens assembly; a guide shaft having a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens assembly, which optical axis extends generally perpendicular to the disc-shaped recording medium; a lens holder including a sliding bearing having the objective lens assembly mounted thereon, whereby, when a cylindrical inner surface of the lens holder having a center axis generally parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens assembly undergoes sliding and rotary motion relative to the guide shaft, the objective lens assembly can be moved in a tracking direction generally parallel to the disc-shaped recording medium and also in a focusing direction generally parallel to the optical axis; a base to which one end of the guide shaft is fixed; four tracking coils mounted on the lens holder in symmetrical relationship relative to the guide shaft, each of said tracking coils having a coil winding axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide shaft; a focusing coil mounted on the lens holder and having a coil winding axis extending in a direction conforming to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the guide shaft; two focusing magnets mounted on the base so as to confront the opposite side faces of the focusing coil and disposed generally in symmetrical relationship relative to the guide shaft, each of said focusing magnets having a direction of magnetization generally perpendicular to the coil winding axis of the focusing coil; and four tracking magnets mounted on the base so as to confront respective side faces of the tracking coils.
The prior art lens drive device of the above-described construction generally performs the following operation.
The drive of the objective lens assembly in the focusing direction takes place when the lens holder undergoes a sliding motion along the guide shaft, secured at one end of the base, under the influence of an electromagnetic force which is obtained when the focusing coil secured to the lens holder carrying the objective lens assembly mounted thereon traverses the magnetic flux generated by the focusing magnet secured to the base.
The drive of the objective lens assembly in the tracking direction takes place when the lens holder undergoes a rotary motion along the guide shaft secured at one end to the base under the influence of an electromagnetic force which is obtained when the tracking coils secured to the lens holder carrying the objective lens assembly mounted thereon traverses the magnetic fluxes generated by the tracking magnets secured to the base.
In the prior art lens drive device referred to above, however, because the focusing coil and the tracking coil are both formed on the lens holder, the movable mechanism comprising the objective lens assembly, the lens holder and the focusing and tracking coils tends to be complicated in shape and, therefore, the distribution of the weight of the movable mechanism as a whole is dispersed making it difficult to improve the rigidity. Therefore, when the lens drive device is to be driven, it is difficult to improve the response characteristic of a displacement frequency in each of the tracking and focusing directions and also to reduce the distance between the axis of rotation and the objective lens assembly because of the axis of rotation of the lens holder being occupied by the guide shaft, thus making it difficult to provide the lens drive device in a compact size.

Lens drive device with lens holder carrying drive flux generating magnets

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An impedance measurement system for detecting an analyte in a sample is disclosed. The system includes first, second, and third electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the third electrode is positioned between the first and second electrodes, means for generating an electromagnetic field between the first and second electrodes, means for electrically controlling the third electrode, wherein the third electrode modifies the electromagnetic field, and a processor for detecting a presence of the analyte in the sample, based at least in part on a property of the electromagnetic field.

Diagnostic testing can include detection of various analytes in a sample such as urine, blood, or saliva. In one example, the analyte is a virus. A detection device includes a binding element on its surface, and the binding element is designed to bind to the analyte of interest. In one example, an antibody designed to mate with a virus of interest is anchored to the surface of the detection device. The sample is introduced to the detection device, and after a selected period of time, the sample may be removed. If the analyte of interest is present in the sample, then after the sample is removed, the analyte of interest will remain bound to the binding elements. The detection device can then be examined to determine whether any analyte of interest is bound to the device. One way to examine the detection device is via electrical impedance.
FIG. 1 shows an electrical impedance detection device 100 including first 102 and second 104 electrodes. The first 102 and second 104 electrodes are positioned between first 114 and second 116 layers of glass. The electrodes 102 and 104 are coupled to a voltage source 108 and an ammeter 106. The voltage source 108 can apply a voltage between the first 102 and second 104 electrodes. The ammeter 106 measures the current at the first electrode 102. When a voltage is applied to the first electrode 102, an electric field is introduced, as illustrated by electric field lines 112 between the first 102 and second 104 electrodes. The ammeter 106 can be used to measure current and thereby determine the impedance between the first 102 and second 104 electrodes.
The first layer of glass 114 includes binding elements 110 on a top surface, where the binding elements are selected to bind to an analyte of interest. Binding events at the binding elements 110 change the permittivity (E, of the local area, thereby affecting electric fields between the first 102 and second 104 electrodes. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the highest density of electric field lines between the first 102 and second 104 electrodes occur directly between the first 102 and second 104 electrodes, in a region of no interest. Only secondary (or fringing) electric fields extend up to the surface of the first layer of glass 114, where the binding elements 110 are located. Thus, only the secondary electric fields are affected by the change in permittivity (εr) caused by binding events at the binding elements 110. Thus, using the detection device 100, even a large change in permittivity will cause only a small change in the capacitance measured at the first 102 and second 104 electrodes.
It is desirable to design a detection device that maximizes the sensitivity of electrical impedance measurements to be able to detect smaller or fewer binding events on the top surface of the device.

Impedance measurement in diagnostic testing