The device includes two identical half-rails disposed symmetrically with respect to the upper longitudinal edge of the wall of the shelf-unit. Each half-rail includes one member whose internal face is welded to an angle steel with a horizontal wing, and one central support plate in support on blocks secured to the horizontal wings. The plate has transverse cracks superimposed on guiding holes borne by the blocks. The mutual spacing of the half-rails is adjusted at will and the entire unit is fixed in the selected position by a screw traversing the superimposed crack and hole. A mobile support member of a decoration element includes superimposed elements each having horizontal wings housing a horizontal guiding track integral with the central plate. Screws are able to tighten together the elements so as to immobilize the support member in any selected position along the guiding track.

There are a large number of types of shelf-units currently used in self-service stores and these shelf-units differ from one another, especially as regards their dimensions, in particular their width and thickness. Owing to these differences, when it is desired to hook decoration, information or valorization elements, it is necessary to use a hooking device particularly adapted to the dimensions of the shelf-unit in question, this adaptation constituting a complication in that a complete range of hooking devices need to be retained, each hooking device being adapted to a particular type of shelf-unit.

Device for hooking decoration or similar elements onto all types of shelf-units


A method and structure for the evaluation of the density of charge induced to a semiconductor substrate during exposure to radiation as a result of integrated circuits processing procedures such as ion implantation and plasma etching is disclosed. A plurality of stacked gate field effect transistors, wherein each stacked has a charge collection capacitor attached to the gate, is fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. Each charge collection capacitor has an area that is different from every other charge collection capacitor. The to substrate is exposed to a radiation source. The threshold voltage for each of the stacked gate field effect transistors is measured. The difference in threshold voltage for the stacked gate transistors is proportional to the amount of charge induced during the exposure to the radiation and the density of the charge induced by the exposure to the radiation can be calculated from the comparison of the threshold voltage and the area of the charge collection capacitors.

1. Field of the Invention
This Invention relates to structures and methods necessary to evaluate the effects of variations in process parameters during the fabrication of integrated circuits upon a semiconductor substrate and more particularly to structure and method to determine the density of charge induced by radiation during such processes as ion implantation and plasma etching, to evaluate subsequent damage to the semiconductor substrate from the radiation induced charge.
2. Description of Related Art
During the fabrication of integrated circuits the surface of semiconductor substrates are exposed to sources of high energy radiation. An example of such a source is ion implantation, where high concentrations of elemental materials such as boron are forced to diffuse into the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Another example is plasma etching, where material is removed from the surface of the semiconductor substrate by the action of a high energy plasma eroding the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
In each of these examples, electrical charges can accumulate at the interface between a conductive material such as a metal and an insulator such as silicon dioxide. If the magnitude of the charge is sufficiently large the insulator may be damaged.
Referring to FIG. 1a, a semiconductor substrate 10 has a well 12 of a first conductivity type such a p-type material diffused into the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10. A drain region 14 and a source region 16 is diffused into the well 12 in the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10. Metal is deposited upon the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10 to form a drain contact 18 and source contact 20. A thin gate oxide 22 is grown between the drain region 14 and the source region 16. A field oxide 24 is grown on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10 in the area outside the drain region 14 the source region 16, and the thin gate oxide 22. A polysilicon gate contact 28 is opened in the field oxide 24.
This structure is a thin oxide field effect transistor (FET) and is constructed by processing that is well known and practiced in the art.
To evaluate the charge effects of radiation during the semiconductor processing, a relatively large area of metal 26 is formed on the semiconductor substrate and connected to the gate 28 of the FET. The meal area 26 acts as the top plate of a charge collection capacitor with the field oxide 24 being the insulator and the semiconductor substrate 10 being the bottom plate. The capacitance of this structure is directly proportion to the area of the top plate metal 26.
FIG. 1b is a view of the cross section of FIG. 1a at line 1b-1b'. If this structure is exposed to a radiation source 30, electrical charges 32 will collect at the surface interface between the metal layer 26 and 28 and the field oxide 24 and the thin gate oxide 22. As is shown in FIG. 1c, which is a cross section of FIG. 1a along the line 1c-1c', the induced charges 32 will create an electrical field 34 within the thin gate oxide 34 sufficiently large as to damage the thin gate oxide 34.
The magnitude of this voltage V.sub.b can be calculated as: ##EQU1## where V.sub.b is the magnitude of the voltage at the gate 34;
Q.sub.collect is the magnitude of the charge 32; PA1 C.sub.1 is the magnitude of the thin oxide capacitance between the gate metal 28 and the well 12 within the substrate 10; and PA1 C.sub.2 is the magnitude of the charge collection capacitor 26.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the equivalent circuit for the device of FIG. 1a. While an estimate of the charge Q.sub.c maybe made, there is no retention of the charge Q.sub.c once the radiation producing processing step is completed. The charge Q.sub.c will be dissipated during the handling and further processing of the semiconductor substrate.
Traditional methods for evaluation of radiation induced charge damage to a semiconductor substrate have required the cross-sectioning of the semiconductor substrate and examining the cross-sectioned surface in the area of the thin gate oxide 22 of FIG. 1a and the field oxide 24 of FIG. 1a. The level of damage is an indicator of the level of the charge induced during the processing step, but can not provide any direct measurement of the charge density and consequent field strength
U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,169 (Buehler, et al.) describes a method for predicting the single event upset susceptibility of a static random access memory to alpha particle radiation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,389 (Kelly, et al.) discloses a test site structure to evaluate the minimum distances between adjacent channels of charge coupled device. The test site will allow measurement of charge transfer efficiency and charge leakage between channels.

Charge collector structure for detecting radiation induced charge during integrated circuit processing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A new block copolymer, which is excellent with regard to abilities such as dispersibility, chelatability, and scale inhibitability, includes a polyalkylene glycol structural unit and a polyglyoxylate structural unit. This block copolymer, for example, can be produced by carrying out a polymerization reaction between a polyalkylene glycol and a glyoxylic acid-based monomer in the presence of a catalyst in a polymerization reaction system having a water content of about 30 mol % or less relative to the polyalkylene glycol, and used as a cement dispersant, pigment dispersant, water-treating agent, or detergent builder.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a block copolymer which displays excellent performance such as dispersibility, and to a production process for the block copolymer, and uses of the block copolymer.
B. Background Art
Hitherto, a polyether block copolymer is known which has structural units derived from ethylene- and propylene oxides respectively. Such a block polymer has surface activity. However, when used as a pigment dispersant, it does not display satisfactory performance. In addition, when used as a water-treating agent, it does not display satisfactory scale inhibitability, either, and when used for trapping hardness components in water or used as a mud dirt dispersant, it does not provide any satisfactory results, either.
As to a polymer having both structural units derived from an alkylene oxide and a carboxylic acid, U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,052 discloses a random copolymer having structural units derived from ethylene oxide and a glyoxylic acid derivative respectively. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,226 discloses a polymer of glyoxylic acid, of which both terminal moieties are ethylene glycol monoether derivative ones as obtained by reacting 1 to 3 molecules of ethylene oxide upon both terminal moieties of a polymer molecule for stabilization. These U.S. patents both disclose that polymers, as disclosed therein, are used as detergent builders.
In the random copolymer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,052, carboxylate ions are arranged on the polymer at random. For example, in the case where this polymer is used as a cement dispersant, it has negative charges to the same extent at any polymer side chain moiety and is therefore adsorbed to cement particles almost homogeneously. Thus, polymer moieties that are not adsorbed to cement particles are considered few, so it cannot be expected to effectively disperse cement particles utilizing steric repulsion between these polymer moieties that are not adsorbed to cement particles. In addition, in the case where the homopolymers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,226 are used as a cement dispersant, the contribution of the terminal alkylene oxide moiety of this polymer is so small that this polymer is adsorbed strongly to cement particles that have positive charges, and therefore it cannot be expected to effectively disperse cement particles, either. Accordingly, the polymers as disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patents may have satisfactory performance as builders, but are not sufficient with regard to the dispersibility, because many carboxylate ions are arranged on the polymers.
In addition, none of the polymers as disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patents has a series of alkylene oxide groups. Therefore, when used as detergent builders, these polymers only display insufficient dispersibility, low washability, and inferior biodegradability.

Polyalkylene glycol-polyglyoxylate block copolymer, its production process and use


A switching bandgap reference circuit with compounded .DELTA.V.sub.BE includes an amplifier having an output, an inverting input and a non-inverting input; a first PN junction connected to the non-inverting input; a second PN junction connected to the inverting input through an input capacitor; a low current source and a high current source; a switching device for applying in the auto zero mode the low current source to a first terminal of the first PN junction and the high current source to a first terminal of the second PN junction for establishing the V.sub.BE, of the first junction at both the inputs of the amplifier and for applying in the valid reference mode the high current source to the first terminal of the first PN junction and the low current source to the first terminal of the second PN junction for establishing the positive .DELTA.V.sub.BE, of the first PN junction to both the inputs of the amplifier and applying the negative .DELTA.V.sub.BE2 of the second PN junction to the input capacitor to produce a voltage of .DELTA.V.sub.BE1 plus (-.DELTA.V.sub.BE2) across the input capacitor; a feedback capacitor connected between the output and inverting input of the amplifier to define the gain on the combined .DELTA.V.sub.BE voltages to produce a temperature stabilized voltage at the output of the amplifier and a reset switching device for discharging the feedback capacitor and enabling the amplifier to equalize its inputs in the auto zero mode.

Bandgap reference circuits are used to provide a stable reference voltage independent of temperature variation. One continuous time bandgap reference circuit known as a Brokaw cell utilizes two matched bipolar transistors operating at different current densities to develop V.sub.BE which decreases with temperature and .DELTA.V.sub.BE which increases with temperature and scales the .DELTA.V.sub.BE with a resistor network to just offset the V.sub.BE decrease to produce the stabilized reference voltage. Another continuous time bandgap reference circuit fabricated in CMOS technology makes use of the parasitic substrate bipolar transistors to combine V.sub.BE and the offseting .DELTA.V.sub.BE to obtain the temperature stabilized reference output voltage. In the construction the transistors must be matched and the output is a high impedance instead of the operational amplifier of the Brokaw cell. In this construction and in the Brokaw cell the continuous nature of the output makes it difficult to correct the inherent amplifier offset.
In another approach, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,504, Gilbert et al., a single PN junction is used to develop both the V.sub.BE and offsetting .DELTA.V.sub.BE but it is a switching band gap reference circuit which alternates between two modes: the auto-zero mode in which the output voltage is not temperature stabilized and the valid reference mode in which it is. The PN junction is typically a parasitic substrate bipolar transistor in a CMOS circuit. In these circuits the .DELTA.V.sub.BE is relatively quite small which does not help with signal to noise ratio considerations. One way to increase .DELTA.V.sub.BE is to increase the current density ratio but this only aids up to a point due to the logarithmic nature of .DELTA.V.sub.BE with respect to current density. Further, when the current density is increased the ability to match the PN junction becomes more difficult.

Switching bandgap reference circuit with compounded .DELTA.V.sub..beta..EPSILON.


In an optical loading apparatus, by including a main roller installed at an inlet side of an optical disc drive; a disc guide installed in the opposite direction of the main roller with an inserted disc therebetween; a disc path control member which can change disc path; a small disc stopping member formed at the drive in order to make an inserted small disc stop at a position mountable onto a spindle; and a large disc stopping member formed at the drive in order to make an inserted large disc stop at a position mountable onto a spindle, it is possible to reduce a fabrication cost by reducing the number of parts by simplifying a structure, and accordingly different-sized optical discs can be reliably loaded.

Generally, an optical disc loading apparatus is largely divided into a tray transfer type and a slot loading type. In the slot loading type, not by mounting a disc onto a tray and transferring to a disc driver, but by inserting a disc into a slot and transferring it, the disc can be played. Accordingly, in the slot loading type, it is difficult to coincide the disc with a center of a spindle motor in comparison with the tray transferring type.
In addition, there are an optical disc having a diameter of 12 cm and an optical disc having a diameter of 8 cm, and accordingly an optical disc reproducing apparatus has to be possible to load various size-discs onto a spindle accurately.
In the conventional tray transferring type, a 12 cm disc mounting portion and a 8 cm disc mounting portion can be easily distinguished from each other by forming a stepped portion. However, in the slot loading type, it is difficult to distinguish a size of an inserted disc and load it.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, various optical disc loading apparatus have been developed, Japan patent application No.2000-227417 and Korea patent application No.2002-6312, etc. are related to them.
However, in the conventional optical disc loading apparatus, because a large quantity of parts are used in order to distinguish and load different-sized discs, lots of fabrication cost and fabrication time are consumed. In addition, operation reliability is lowered.


In a connector with a component built-in, a base member is formed of three-dimensional formation circuit substrate, and has a fitting portion that is to be fitted to a connector of counterpart. Terminals electrically connected to a wiring pattern on a mother board, contacts electrically connected to contacts of the connector of counterpart, and a conductive pattern electrically connected to the electronic component are formed on a surface of the base member. Thus, the conductive pattern can easily be modified depending on application, and it is possible to provide complicated wirings. Furthermore, since the electronic component is mounted on the base member, it is possible to make the connector embed a lot of electronic components, and degrees of freedom of design are increased. Still furthermore, the electronic component can be connected by reflow soldering, so that mounting workability of the electronic component is increased.

In a mid flow of electric wiring to electronic equipments, electronic components such as a capacitor, a resistor, a diode are used for purpose in total. As a method to simplify the electric wiring, the connector which has an electronic component built-in is suggested conventionally.
FIG. 9A shows a configuration of a conventional connector with an electric component built-in, which is, for example shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-198132. In this conventional connector, a capacitor 101 is used as an electronic component, and two lead terminals 104a and 104b of the capacitor 101 are respectively soldered to a conductor 102 of a cable and an inner conductor terminal 103 of a connector, so that the conductor 102 and the inner conductor terminal 103 are electrically connected via the capacitor 101. The capacitor 101, conductor 102 and the inner conductor terminal 103 are insulated by an insulating material 105 and an outside conductor terminal 106.
In addition, FIG. 9B shows a configuration of another conventional connector with an electronic component built-in, for example, shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-184532. In this another conventional connector, electrodes 112a and 112b provided on both ends of a chip type electronic component 111 are respectively soldered to a rear end portion 113a of a fitting terminal 113 and a rear end portion 114a of a connecting terminal 114, so that the integrated chip type electronic component 111, the fitting terminal 113 and the connecting terminal 114 are fixed on a connector housing 115.
As mentioned above, it is difficult to perform a mounting operation of the electronic component in an inside of the connector by the conventional method for soldering the electronic component to the metal terminals or a conductor such as the cable. Therefore, modifications of the circuit structure and the conductive pattern cannot be performed easily, so that it is difficult to correspond to purpose alteration. In addition, it is difficult to put complicated electric wiring for a connector interior, and it is difficult to let connector have a lot of electronic components built-in. Furthermore, since a plurality of members is necessary for protecting the electronic component, a mounting operation of the component is complicated.

Connector having a built-in electronic part


A device for controlling the slip between driving wheels and a road surface during a start and an acceleration of a vehicle is maintained at a level which ensures a good acceleration and straight line running stability. The device determines a target speed of the rotation of the driving wheels, and controls a drive torque of the driving wheels in such a manner that the actual speed of the rotation of the driving wheels coincides with the target speed. Also, the device detects a friction coefficient between the driving wheels and the road surface, and the slippage of the driving wheels is controlled on the basis of the friction coefficient. Further, the device determines the reliability of the detected friction coefficient, and uses the detected friction coefficient only when the detected friction coefficient is determined to be reliable.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an acceleration slip control device for a vehicle by which a slipping of the driving wheels of the vehicle during a start or acceleration of the vehicle is controlled.
2. Description of the Related Art
An acceleration slip control device is commonly used to improve the acceleration and straight line running stability of the vehicle by preventing an excess slippage of the driving wheels during a start or acceleration of the vehicle.
Usually, the acceleration slip control device determines a target speed for the speed of rotation of the driving wheels and controls a drive torque of the driving wheels by a feedback control in such a manner that the deviation of the speed of rotation of the driving wheels from the target speed is maintained at less than a predetermined value.
In such a control, to improve a response and stability of the control, the drive torque is controlled in such a manner that the rate of change of the drive torque is changed according to the magnitude of a friction factor .mu. between the driving wheels and a road surface.
For example, when .mu. is low (i.e., on a slippery road), the rate of increase of the drive torque is made smaller, to prevent an overshoot and thereby increase the stability of the control. Conversely, when .mu. is high, the rate of increase of the drive torque is made larger, to improve the response of the control.
An example of an acceleration slip control device of this type is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-99757.
The device disclosed in this Publication calculates the acceleration of the vehicle from the rate of change of the speed of the driven wheels (i.e., a running speed of the vehicle) when a slip occurs between the driving wheels and a road surface. Then the device calculates the friction coefficient between the driving wheels and the road surface from this acceleration, and adjusts the drive torque in accordance with the calculated friction coefficient by a fuel cut operation, etc.
In the acceleration slip control device of the above Publication however, the detected values of the friction coefficients are sometimes different from the actual friction coefficients, especially when frequent changes occur in the road surface conditions. Also errors in detecting the speed of driven wheel can occur, and these errors adversely affect the calculation of the acceleration, and consequently, the calculation of the friction coefficient.
When the acceleration control is carried out on the basis of a friction coefficient higher than the actual friction coefficient, the rate of increase of the drive torque becomes extremely large, and therefore, the stability of the control is worsened because of an increased slip between the driving wheels and the road surface. Conversely, when the control is carried out on the basis of a friction factor lower than the actual friction coefficient, the rate of increase of the drive torque becomes very small, and thus the response of the control, and the acceleration, are worsened.

Acceleration slip control device for a vehicle


Certain salts of 4"-deoxy-4"-epi-methylamino avermectin Bla/Blb such as: the benzoic acid salt, gallic acid salt, citric acid salt, benzenesulfonic acid salt and salicyclic acid salt, phosphoric acid salt, tartaric acid salt or maleic acid salt, exhibit enhanced stability, a property which serves to provide greater shelf life and a product of greater safety for the user and the environment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,663 to Mrozik describes the synthetic routes used to prepare 4"-deoxy-4"-amino avermectin Bla/Blb and substituted amino avermectins. U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,749 published Oct. 17, 1989, discloses the 4"-deoxy-4"-epi-methylamino avermectin hydrochloride as having properties as an agricultural insecticide. The enhanced stability of the compounds of the present invention over the known hydrochloride salt will give this agricultural insecticide a longer shelf life.

Stable salts of 4"-deoxy-4"-epi-methylamino avermectin Bla/Blb


A tool with a laterally and longitudinally extending open-sided channel, a protuberance projecting in a first transverse direction forward the front face of the tool and a second protuberance projecting in a second transverse direction rearward the rear face of the tool.

Items, such as framed works of art, wall-mounted clocks, shelving brackets, a variety of knick knacks, and cabinets for bric-a-bracs, are commonly hung from a wall using one or more sawtooth hangers nailed to the back of the frame. The sawtooth hangers each engage an appropriately placed nail or hook (collectively referenced as a mounting pin) that is driven into or fastened onto the wall. Alternatively, such items are also commonly hung from a wall by placing the mounting pin within a mounting orifice hidden in the back of the item.
Locating mounting pins on a wall to achieve a desired positioning of an item can often be a challenge. While the desired position of the item can be readily observed by simply holding the item against the wall and moving the item until the desired position is observed, location and marking of the position of the mounting pins necessary to achieve the desired positioning of the item on the wall is a little more troublesome as the item obscures viewing and blocks marking of the necessary location of the mounting pins. While careful measurement of the wall and item would seem to be a fitting resolution of the matter, those with experience in this endeavor can attest to the fact that—despite every effort at precision—this technique rarely results in the desired positioning of the item.
Accordingly, a longstanding need exists for a quick, simple and inexpensive way to locate and mark the placement of mounting pins.

Tool for locating and marking placement of mounting pins

Abstract: The tool, with or without the second protuberance, may be used to hang an item upon a wall by (a) attaching the tool to a sawtooth hanger or a mounting orifice on the item, (b) supporting the item against a vertical surface at a desired hanging position and orientation, (c) pressing the supported item against the vertical surface with a force sufficient to cause the first protuberance on the tool to mark the vertical surface, (d) moving the item to expose the mark on the vertical surface, (e) securing a mounting pin to the vertical surface proximate the mark, and (f) suspending the item from the mounting pin by the sawtooth hanger or mounting orifice on the item.


A conductive member is formed using a pipe member made of a conductive metal. The conductive member has a conductive body portion that extends in the lengthwise direction and that forms an electrical conduction path, and an insulating layer formed on the outer circumferential surface. Also, a terminal portion that enables connection with a partner member is integrally formed in each of the two end portions of the conductive body portion. The terminal portions are formed so as to be flat and are provided with a connection hole so as to enable connection with an electrode of an auxiliary battery or a terminal of a DC/DC converter.

The supply of electricity to (e.g., the charging of) a 12 V battery (auxiliary battery) installed in a hybrid vehicle, for example, has been controlled by lowering the voltage of high-voltage electricity from the main battery for motor driving using a DC/DC converter, and then supplying the reduced-voltage electricity from the main battery to the auxiliary battery.
JP 2006-174619A is an example of related art.
Conventionally, the auxiliary battery and the DC/DC converter have been connected to each other by an electrical wire with terminals attached at the two ends. When making a connection using such an electrical wire provided with terminals, the connection locations include not only the connections with the battery and the converter, but also the connections between the electrical wire and the terminals, thus raising the number of factors that reduce connection reliability.
There are also cases where the DC/DC converter is installed in the rear side of the vehicle, and the auxiliary battery is installed in the engine room. In these cases, it is common for the electrical wire connecting the two to be laid under the floor of the vehicle, and the electrical wire needs to be passed through a protector in order to be held in a predetermined route (route restriction). However, taking this sort of measure requires members such as a protector and holding clamps for holding the protector to the vehicle body, and thus has the risk of leading to a reduction in work efficiency and an increase in cost.


When installing the Microsoft Windows™ installer service, the install system suppresses a reboot of the computer device. The install system with reboot suppression includes a load mechanism that loads the install system to a temporary directory. A directory mechanism then sets the path for the install system to the temporary directory, and an executing mechanism executes the install system from the temporary directory. The method suppresses a reboot of the computer device when installing the Microsoft Windows™ installer service and includes the steps of loading the install system to a temporary directory and setting a path for the install system as the temporary directory. Then the install system is executed from the temporary directory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to computer software, and more particularly, to an install system and method for installing Microsoft Windows™ installer service on a computer system without rebooting the computer system.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, most software packages for use in computer systems include an installation program, with the function to install specific vendor programs either on a volatile or non-volatile memory. The installation program might be used to guide a user through the complex procedure of setting up an application for a particular combination of machine and accessories. Installation programs may also be used for software that cannot be copied by normal system commands.
Typically, the Microsoft Windows™ installer service is used to install software programs on computer devices running the Windows™ operating system. If the Windows™ installer service is not resident on the computer device, then prior to a software installation, the Windows™ installer service needs to be previously installed. However, by default, the Microsoft Windows™ installer service will reboot the computer device on which it is installed before it is available to be used to install the desired software. The major disadvantage is that the customer normally will have to reboot the computer device before they can continue with an application software installation. Shutting down the Windows™ operating system on the computer device and restarting the operating system is typically a time consuming operation. Also, after the reboot, the operating system does not necessarily know how to continue the installation of the application software so that many installations the customer would have to restart the installation from scratch, instead of being able to continue the installation from the point previously reached prior to the reboot.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

System and method for installing window installer service without rebooting

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Supplemental bottom for a single-control mixer cartridge for hot and cold water in a type of faucet particularly suitable for wash-bowls or bidets, including a disk provided with holes at the openings formed in the bottom of the cartridge and with a peripheral gasket, connection teeth to associate with coupling holes provided in the bottom of the cartridge, and ducts for connecting the holes provided in the disk so as to match the openings for the separate inflow of hot and cold water, which are present in the bottom of the cartridge, to the water inflow holes which are present at the base of the cavity for accommodating the cartridge in the faucet.

The present invention relates to a supplemental bottom for a single-control water mixer cartridge, particularly of the type for mixing hot and cold water in a type of faucet particularly suitable for a wash-bowl or a bidet.
It is known that in the field of faucets there are devices, known as single-control mixer cartridges, which are inserted in faucets and allow, by actuating a single actuation lever, both to vary the flow-rate delivered by the faucet from zero to a maximum value and to vary the temperature of the water by appropriately mixing the hot and cold water reaching the faucet.
In particular, there are cartridges shaped so as to fit in faucets for wash-bowls or bidets, in which a cartridge accommodation cavity is formed; said cavity has a flat base comprising inlet holes for the two pipes for supplying hot and cold water respectively, and has a side wall provided with an outlet hole for the hot, cold or mixed water; these cartridges have the disadvantage that they cannot adapt optimally to faucets of different types, such as very common flush-mount faucets for bath-tubs or showers.
So-called adapter devices have been proposed in order to adapt cartridges specifically designed for flush-mount faucets to the described faucets for wash-bowls and bidets; said devices are inserted between the cartridge and the base of the accommodation cavity, but they have the disadvantage that they create maintenance problems, since it is difficult to remove them due to the jamming caused by the hardening of gaskets or by lime deposits.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the same Applicant has devised a cartridge, as shown in Italian Patent Application No. MN92A000010, which comprises a bottom which is per se suitable for insertion in flushmount faucets for bath-tubs and showers but is provided with as to allow to convert said cartridge so that it becomes suitable for optimum insertion in faucets of a different type.

Supplemental bottom for a single-control water mixer cartridge


An antistatic polymer monofilament of this invention comprises a polymer composite of a thermoplastic polymer as a matrix and carbon nanotubes as a conductive filler.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an antistatic polymer monofilament, a method for making an antistatic polymer monofilament for the production of spiral fabrics and spiral fabrics employing such monofilaments.
2. Description of Related Art
Industrial fabrics used as non-woven lay down conveyer belts in machines for making non-woven fabrics and paper machine clothing employed at the final dryer sections of paper making machines require antistatic properties. That is, they must dissipate or prevent the build up electrical charges to prevent such charges from accumulating to a point where high energy sparking may occur when the belts or clothing contact grounded objects. Such high energy sparking can create an undesired safety hazard. Permanent antistatic monofilaments are frequently included in industrial fabrics to prevent the undesired build up of static charges.
Current antistatic fabrics are very similar to conventional polyester dryer fabrics with the exception that they contain carbon filled polyamide antistatic yarns and conductive edging. The seams are either loop seams or endless. There is a disadvantage to both seam styles. The loop seam is weaker than the main body of the fabric and also can put an undesired seam mark onto the finished product. An endless seamed fabric is very time consuming to install, which also is undesirable.
British Patent GB 21 01 559 discloses a fabric that has metal wires woven together with polymer monofilaments, where the metal wires are capable of discharging electrostatic charges from the fabric. The disadvantage of this structure is that the stretching behavior of the metal wire differs significantly from that of the remaining fabric. This can easily lead to breakage of the metal wires. An additional risk is that the metal wires normally corrode in air, which creates points of interruption for discharging the static charges.
To overcome the above-identified problems of utilizing metal wires in conjunction with polymer monofilaments in the fabric, fabrics have been made with surface coated monofilaments, with the surface coating including conductive particles to dissipate undesired static charges. Thus, the conductive coating on the polymeric monofilaments renders the monofilaments antistatic without losing the benefit of monofilament mechanical properties. Examples of such coating treatments are disclosed in EP 0327227A2 (1989) to Xerox, EP 0308234 A 1(1989) to Courtaulds, EP 0294504 B 1(1987) to BASF, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,706 (1999) to Dupont. In the prior art coating processes a polymer monofilament typically is first treated to make it receptive for receiving the conductive coating. Thereafter, the conductive coating, e.g., carbon black or a layer of metal particles, are then suffused onto the treated surface of the polymer monofilament. Though this approach maintains most of the polymer monofilament properties, the antistatic sheath or coating tends to wear away, due to the fact that the coated monofilaments frequently are subject to strong mechanical abrasion. In particular, during the fabric weaving process, friction between the coated monofilaments and mechanical parts of the weaving machine tend to abrade the coated sheath and cause serious housekeeping problems. Moreover, the monofilament treatment and coating process involves complicated chemical processing, thereby undesirably increasing the cost of the formed fabric.
Another prior art practice has been to incorporate antistatic particles into polymer bodies instead of employing a surface coating. A variety of materials, including carbon fibers, metallic fibers and carbon blacks can be used as polymer additives for making antistatic or conductive polymer compositions. Such approaches are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,562 (2000) to Sterling Chemicals International and EP 0399397 A2 (1990) to Dupont. The desired electrical conductivity in the polymer composite is achieved when an adequate network of conductive particles or fibers is established within the polymer. Large amounts of carbon black or metal particles, typically in an amount >10 wt %, need to be incorporated into the polymer to form the desired network for dissipating static charges.
The above-described polymer composites including conductive additives have not been reported for use in polymer monofilaments. This is largely due to the fact that the composite does not have good compatibility between the polymer matrix and the highly loaded, large particle-sized antistatic fillers. In particular, carbon black, carbon fibrils and metal particles, typically in a dimension of microns, lead to severe phase separation during formation (i.e., extrusion and orientation in the solid state) of monofilaments, resulting in very brittle filaments having unacceptable variations in diameter along their length. Such monofilaments would be unsuitable for use in applications of this invention, which require the monofilaments to have a high degree of structural integrity to maintain their mechanical properties and close dimensional tolerances along their length.
Graphite nanotubes as a conductive medium are a relatively new entry in this general area. Compared to carbon blacks, which typically have a particle size on the order of several microns, the multiple wall nanotubes have a diameter between 10–20 nm and an aspect ratio of greater than 100, making them sub-micron in size. The surface area of these nanotubes typically can be about 250 m2/g and can establish a conductive network in a polymer matrix at very low loadings, resulting in minimal degradation of polymer physical properties. EP 1054036 A1 (2000) to Fina Research S.A. discloses partially oriented fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene with carbon nanotubes. WO 02/076724 (2002) to Eikos disclosed electrically conductive polymer films containing carbon nanotubes. These disclosures, however, are not readily applicable to, nor do they suggest forming monofilaments.
Polymer monofilaments, which are the subject of the instant invention, differ from fibers and films of the type disclosed in EP 1054036 and WO 02/076724 in that the primary purpose of the carbon nanotubes in the present invention is to provide a network capable of dissipating a static charge, and that the diameter of a round cross sectional area of the formed monofilament is greater than 0.05 mm. Any fillers in the polymer matrix can easily cause phase separation in the monofilament orientation process as the monofilament exits the extruder.
It is an object of this invention to develop polymer monofilaments that exhibit permanent static dissipative properties with long lasting effect and good mechanical properties.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Antistatic polymer monofilament, method for making an antistatic polymer monofilament for the production of spiral fabrics and spiral fabrics formed with such monofilaments

Abstract: A process of this invention for manufacturing an antistatic polymer monofilament comprising the steps of blending in an extruder a thermoplastic polymer and carbon nanotubes and extruding monofilaments from said blend.

Abstract: An industrial fabric of this invention, which is usable in nonwoven and papermaking machines, said fabric comprising monofilaments for dissipating static charges, said monofilaments including a thermoplastic polymer matrix and a filler of carbon nanotubes.


A gas circuit breaker includes a hermetically-sealed container filled with an arc extinguishing gas, a fixed contact arranged within the container, a movable contact arranged to face the fixed contact and configured to move in an axial direction of the container, the movable contact capable of contacting or separating from the fixed contact, an insulating operation rod having one end connected to an end of the movable contact opposite to the fixed contact through a link at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the movable contact, and an actuator arranged in a substantially coaxial relationship with the insulating operation rod, the actuator including an output shaft transferring a driving force for the operation of the movable contact to the other end of the insulating operation rod.

As a protection-purpose circuit breaker for performing a current switching operation in an electric power system, a gas circuit breaker in which an electric current is cut off by filling an arc extinguishing gas into a hermetically-sealed container formed of a grounded metal or a porcelain bushing is widely used.
As one example of conventional gas circuit breakers, a double-point-break gas circuit breaker having two interrupting chambers is shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 11 is a frontal sectional view of a conventional gas circuit breaker.
The conventional gas circuit breaker includes a container 101, a support insulation tube 103, interrupting chambers 104, a breaker unit 105, a fixed contact 106, a movable contact 107, a first link group 108, an insulating operation rod 109, a unit box 110, an operating mechanism 111, an actuator 112, an output shaft 113, a second link group 114, container supports 115 and an base 116.
The container 101 is filled with an arc extinguishing gas such as SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) or CO2 (carbon dioxide). The support insulation tube 103 is installed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the container 101, at a nearly central position in the axial direction of the container 101. The breaker unit 105 provided with two interrupting chambers 104 (the right interrupting chamber omitted in FIG. 11) is supported by the support insulation tube 103.
Each of the interrupting chambers 104 includes a fixed contact 106 fixed in a specified position of the container 101 and a movable contact 107 movable in the axial direction of the container 101. The fixed contact 106 and the movable contact 107 are arranged to face each other.
The insulating operation rod 109 extending through a substantially central portion of the support insulation tube 103 is connected through the first link group 108 to an end of the movable contact 107 opposite to the fixed contact 106.
Attached to the external portion of the container 101 is the unit box 110 in which the operating mechanism 111 is placed.
The operating mechanism 111 includes an actuator 112 and a hydraulic mechanism or a spring mechanism, which are not shown in the drawings. The actuator 112 converts the energy generated by the hydraulic mechanism or the spring mechanism (not shown) to a driving force required in a switching operation of electrical contacts.
One end of the insulating operation rod 109 and an output shaft 113 of the actuator 112 are connected to each other through the second link group 114, wherein the insulating operation rod 109 and the output shaft 113 of the actuator 112 are in a positional relationship of about 90 degrees.
The container 101 is installed on the base 116 by the container supports 115 arranged in, e.g., four corners.
In the conventional gas circuit breaker as configured above, the driving force of the actuator 112 acting in the direction of arrow G is transferred to the movable contact 107 via the second link group 114, the insulating operation rod 109 and the first link group 108, thereby driving the movable contact 107 in the direction of arrow G. In other words, the driving force of the actuator 112 acting in the direction of arrow G is first converted to a force in a direction of arrow H by the second link group 114 and is then converted to a force in the direction of arrow G by the first link group 108.
As the movable contact 107 is driven in the direction of arrow G, the fixed contact 106 and the movable contact 107 are contacted and separated from each other, consequently performing the switching operation of a circuit.
In the conventional gas circuit breaker stated above, due to the use of two link groups 108 and 114, the energy loss during the transfer of the driving force of the actuator 112 to the movable contact 107 becomes larger.


Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A plurality of gas burners are disposed in the spout above the glass pool. The casing glass delivery spout is configured for improved heat transfer to, and improved heat retention within, the casing glass pool within the spout. Specifically, the glass pool surface area is enlarged, and the glass pool depth is reduced. Free space above the glass pool is enlarged to accommodate gas flames from more burners, and to increase surface heat radiation into the glass pool. The housing that supports the spout is designed such that an annular spout support surface engages the spout radially outwardly of the spout opening(s) for reducing heat transfer to the housing from casing glass flowing through the opening.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a cased glass stream for forming glassware having layered wall segments. U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/374,371 now abandoned (refiled as Ser. No. 08/787,061, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,221) and 08/374,372 now abandoned (refiled as Ser. No. 08/782,552), both assigned to the assignee hereof, disclose techniques for delivering such a cased glass stream in which core glass from a first source is delivered through a first orifice. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A heated tube delivers casing glass from a second glass source to the annular chamber that surrounds the second orifice. Glass flows by force of gravity from the first and second sources through the first and second orifices in such a way that a cased glass stream emerges from the second orifice. This cased glass stream may be sheared by conventional techniques to form individual cased glass gobs for delivery to conventional individual section glassware forming machines.
Although the techniques disclosed in the noted patent applications address and overcome problems theretofore extant in the art, further improvements remain desirable. For example, since the casing glass layer is relatively thin, it is necessary that the casing glass delivery mechanism be capable of delivering glass at very low pull rates, such as on the order of five to ten tons per day. Furthermore, the casing glass delivery spout must be capable of arresting flow for an extended period of time, such as up to forty-five minutes during installation and start-up, without the flow control tube becoming frozen to the bottom of the spout. It has been proposed in the above-noted applications to provide an array of gas burners within the casing glass spout above the glass pool for both convection and radiant heating of the glass pool in an effort to maintain an elevated glass temperature. These prior art constructions operate satisfactorily during normal operation, but are not as efficient as desired during start-up or periods of non-use. It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus of the described character for delivering a cased glass stream in which the casing glass delivery spout is adapted to deliver glass at very low pull rate, including a zero flow pull rate, for an extended period of time without freezing or malfunction.
In general, the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention are accomplished by configuring the casing glass delivery spout for improved heat transfer to, and improved heat retention within, the casing glass pool or bath within the spout. To accomplish this, a number of structural and functional improvements are implemented as compared with conventional glass spout designs. Specifically, in a casing glass spout having one or more spout tubes for controlling glass flow through one or more spout openings, the ratio of the glass pool surface area occupied by the spout tube(s) to the actual overall casing glass pool surface area is not more than 15%, more preferably not more than 10%, and most preferably about 8%. This enlarged glass pool surface area, as compared with ratios on the order of 25% to 27% in conventional spout designs, promotes heat transfer into the glass pool, both directly from the gas burners and from the radiant walls of the spout and covers above the glass pool. Depth of the glass pool is also reduced as compared with conventional spouts to promote heat transfer from the pool surface through the pool to the glass surrounding the spout opening. The ratio of pool surface area to pool depth in the preferred embodiments of the invention is at least 50/1, and more preferably at least 75/1, as compared with conventional ratios on the order of 28/1 to 32/1.
Furthermore, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the free space above the glass pool is enlarged so as to provide more volume for gas combustion without contact of gas flames with the pool surface, and a greater area for heat transfer by radiation from the spout sidewall and cover to the surface of the glass pool. The number of gas burner ports is increased for additional heat transfer into the glass pool. The housing that supports the casing glass spout is designed such that an annular spout support surface engages the spout radially outwardly of the spout opening(s) for reducing heat transfer from casing glass flowing through the opening. Increased insulation is disposed between the outer wall surface of the casing glass spout and the inner wall surface of the housing for further reduction of heat transfer.

Method and apparatus for delivering a cased glass stream


An electronic device includes: a housing having one or more interior surfaces; an electronic circuit that is disposed within the housing, that does not directly contact any of the one or more interior surfaces of the housing, and that includes at least one electrical component that consumes electrical power; and a thermally conductive material that surrounds the electronic circuit within the housing, that directly contacts both the at least one electrical component and the one or more interior surfaces of the housing, that absorbs heat from the at least one electrical component, and that transfers heat to the housing.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to the wide variety of content and the quality of content available. A satellite television system typically includes a set top box that receives satellite signals and decodes the satellite signals for use on a television. The set top box typically includes a memory, such as for storing operating code of the set top box. Some set top boxes a digital video recorder or the like for storing received content. Because of the numerous components associated with the set top box, having one set top box for each individual television may be relatively expensive.
Satellite television systems typically broadcast content to a number of users simultaneously. Satellite television systems also offer subscription or pay-per-view access to broadcast content. Access to subscription or pay-per-view content may be provided using signals broadcast over the satellite. Once access is provided, a user can access particular content.
Electronic devices are increasingly accessing the Internet. For example, some flat panel televisions may connect to the Internet, wirelessly and/or by wire, to enhance the customer experience and provide additional viewing options. Electronic devices may access various content sources via the Internet, such as movie and other video sources, weather data sources, stock data sources, etc.


Soft symbol decoder algorithms for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) receivers reduce the search complexity by searching over fewer than all possible combinations of transmitted symbols to compute log metrics for each transmitted bit from each transmit antenna. In one algorithm, a sub-optimal set of transmitted symbols is computed and the transmitted symbols are restricted to neighboring constellation points of the sub-optimal set. In another algorithm, all constellation points are searched for every antenna except one. In yet another algorithm, constellation points are searched excluding more than one antenna. The non-searched antenna(s) can be handled by either a bit stuffing or a soft slicing technique.

The present invention relates generally to multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) communication systems and in particular to soft symbol decoders for MIMO communication systems with reduced search complexity.
MIMO communication systems are known in the art. Such systems generally include a transmitter having a number (Mt) of transmit antennas communicating with a receiver having a number (Mr) of receive antennas, where Mr and Mt may or may not be equal. In some keying schemes, bits of data to be transmitted are grouped and each group of bits is mapped to a symbol (a particular combination of phase and amplitude) in a signaling constellation. A number of constellations are known in the art, including binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellations. In a MIMO communication system, each of the Mt transmit antenna transmits, at substantially the same time, a symbol representing a different group of bits. Thus, if each symbol represents B bits, the number of bits transmitted per channel "period" is B*Mt.
Each receive antenna receives a signal that is a combination of signals from the transmit antennas, modified by channel properties (e.g., fading and delay) and noise. The receiver decodes (i.e., reconstructs) the Mt transmitted signals from the Mr received signals using its knowledge of the possible transmitted symbols and the properties of the communication channel. In some existing systems, decoding involves a "soft symbol" decoding phase and a "hard symbol" decoding phase. In the soft symbol decoding phase, possible combinations of transmitted symbols, after accounting for channel effects and noise, are compared to the received signal to generate a soft metric for each of the B*Mt transmitted bits. The soft metric is a numerical value representing the relative likelihood that the transmitted bit had a value of 1 (or 0). In the hard symbol decoding phase, the soft metrics are used to generate an output data stream using algorithms such as the well-known Viterbi algorithm. Ideally, the output data stream is identical to the input data stream. In practice, there is a non-zero bit error rate that depends on a number of factors.
In conventional MIMO systems, soft metrics are generated by searching over each possible combination of constellation points. If the number of constellation points for one transmitter is C, the order, or complexity, of such a search is CMt. For example, in a MIMO system with two transmit antennas using a 16QAM (16-point quadrature amplitude modulation) constellation, the search order is 162=256. Larger constellations and larger numbers of transmit antennas further increase the search complexity. More complex searches require more powerful processors in the receiver to keep up with the incoming data rate, which can increase the cost of the communication system.
To the extent that search complexity can be reduced, receiver architecture can be simplified, with attendant cost savings. Some examples of reduced-complexity searches are described in the above-referenced co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/068,571. The searches described therein reduce the search complexity to 2CMt−1.
It would be desirable to provide reduced complexity search algorithms for decoders that further reduce the search complexity without unacceptably increasing the bit error rate.

Soft symbol decoding for MIMO communication systems with reduced search complexity


It is intended to provide net list creating method, net list creating device, and computer program thereof capable of creating net list of memory space by selecting optimum combination of memory macros and providing a control circuit for controlling and making the combination accessible as memory space from a previously registered library so as to realize required memory space. For realizing a target memory with a single memory macro by extending its word width, processing goes on to as follows: target word width of a target memory is larger than maximum macro word width of a memory macro (S5: YES); first word width ratio (WR1), target word width to maximum macro word width, is 2n and first bit width ratio (BR1), bit width of a target memory to bit width of memory macro which has maximum macro word width, is 2(−n) or smaller (S9: YES); a memory macro which has maximum macro word width is selected (S11); and a control circuit is selected from a control library (D3) previously provided after branch a.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to creation of net list for realizing circuit structure suitable to required circuit specification by combining IP macros previously provided in a chip frame. More particularly, it relates to net list creating method, net list creating device, and computer program thereof for realizing circuit structure depending on required memory space by combining memory macros in structured ASIC.
2. Description of Related Art
For making their electric appliances distinctive from other competitive products, many electric appliance manufacturers endeavor to develop LSI which realizes unique functions. In case integration degree, operation speed, current consumption are to be focused, ASIC such as standard cells and the like which makes optimum circuit design possible is used. In case it is in developing stage and circuit specification is changeable, or in case required number of LSI is limited, FPGA and the like a user can change circuit structure every time are used.
As higher function design, advancement of higher function design, and shorter product cycle in electric appliance product field go on, longer R&D term and higher R&D costs for ASIC development have been problematic. Furthermore, for FPGA development, in case intended circuits are packaged in a selected kind due to enlargement of circuit scale, especially in case rate of in-use cells becomes higher, convergence characteristic may deteriorate and as a result, there may occur fears to extend a design term and change design specification forcedly.
In such a situation, there has recently been developed ASIC of new architecture which realizes earlier appointed date of delivery and lower development costs. That is, desired circuit structure is realized by such a manner that essential IP macros such as memory macros are previously arranged in a chip frame and IP macros are combined and connected by a certain part of wiring layer depending on user's circuit specification. Thereby, earlier appointed date of delivery and lower development costs are about to come true in electric appliance field for which higher function design has been required.

Net list creating method, net list creating device, and computer program thereof


A rotational direction detecting switch detects a rotational direction of a shaft, preferably of a seat belt retractor. The detecting switch is formed of a switch plate having a support portion for pivotally supporting the switch plate and restricting members spaced apart from each other for restricting a rotating angle of the switch plate, a spring member attached to the switch plate between the restricting members for elastically contacting an outer circumference of the shaft, and a switch situated near the switch plate for detecting a rotating position of the switch plate. Since the spring member is used to contact the shaft, the elastic deformation is large. Therefore, tolerance in manufacturing the switch plate can be large, so that its assembling accuracy may not be so accurate. However, the rotating direction can be positively detected.

The invention relates to a switch to be used for detecting a rotational direction of a rotating member in a seat belt retractor to be mounted to a vehicle, such as an automobile, and a seat belt retractor using the same.
A seat belt winding device or retractor to be attached to an automobile has such a function that when a passenger takes a seat and pulls out a seat belt and a tongue is fastened to a buckle device, an extra withdrawing portion of the seat belt is absorbed or retracted. In order to provide the function, in a seat belt retractor of the prior art, a single return spring has been used. When a seat belt is put on a passenger""s shoulder, the passenger pulls out the seat belt against an urging force of the return spring and leaves his hand from the seat belt after a tongue is engaged with a buckle, so that an extra withdrawing portion of the seat belt is wound up by a seat belt retractor until the seat belt fits the passenger""s body.
As explained above, in the seat belt retractor, it is required to satisfy the following points at the same time:
(1) the excessively withdrawing portion of the seat belt is positively wound up until the seat belt fits the passenger""s body, or when the passenger does not wear the seat belt, the withdrawn seat belt is positively stored in a storing portion; and
(2) an unnecessary pressing feeling is not given to a breast portion of the passenger in a normal wearing state.
However, in the seat belt retractor using an urging force of the single return spring, there have been such problems that in case a spring having a weak urging force is used to reduce the pressing feeling against the chest portion of the passenger, a winding force when the seat belt is wound up, i.e. at a storing time, becomes weak, so that an operating ability and storing ability are lowered. On the contrary, in case a spring having a strong urging force is used to obtain a sufficient winding force at the time of winding, the pressing feeding against the chest portion of the passenger at the normal wearing time becomes large.
Also, in a conventional seat belt retractor, there have been problems such that since the single return spring is built in, as a withdrawn amount or length of the seat belt is increased, the return spring is wound to thereby increase its urging force, and as the withdrawing amount of the seat belt is increased, the withdrawing force is increased.
As a device to solve the above problems, the present inventors invented a seat belt winding device or retractor for winding a seat belt by combining a return spring and a motor, and filed a patent application as Japanese Patent Application No. 11-10184 (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cformer inventionxe2x80x9d, not prior art). In the seat belt retractor using the motor for winding the seat belt including the winding device of the former invention, generally, it is required that the motor is stopped when a passenger pulls out the seat belt to allow the seat belt to be pulled out with a small force. As a device for providing this mechanism, there has been proposed a device wherein a rotational direction of a shaft of a spool around which the seat belt is wound is detected, and in case the shaft is rotated in a seat-belt withdrawing direction, power supply to the motor is stopped. The device is also employed in the former invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a rotational direction detecting switch used in the former invention. A base frame 21 is provided with a spool 22, and a seat belt is wound around the spool 22. When the spool 22 is driven in a winding or retracting direction, the seat belt is wound up. On the contrary, when the seat belt is pulled out manually, the spool 22 is rotated in a direction opposite to the winding direction. A spool shaft input gear directly connected to the spool shaft is provided with a ring-shape groove 23.
The rotational direction detecting switch includes a switch plate 24 and a limit switch 25, and the switch plate 24 is rotated around a rotating pin 26 as a shaft. Both ends of the switch plate 24 are provided with guides 24a, and when the switch plate 24 is rotated for a predetermined region, the guide 24a hits the ring-shape groove 23 to thereby restrict its rotating region, i.e. angle.
The ring-shape groove 23 contacts a circular arc edge 24b of the switch plate 24. A circular arc groove 24c is formed on an inner side along the circular arc edge 24b. Therefore, when the circular arc edge 24b abuts against the ring-shape groove 23, the circular arc edge 24b is slightly bent to thereby provide a pressing force. Thus, the switch plate 24 is rotated without slipping according to the rotation of the ring-shape groove 23.
FIG. 5 shows a state where the switch plate 24 located at an initial position, i.e. two dotted chain lines, has rotated in a counter-clockwise direction according to a rotation in a clockwise direction of the spool 22, i.e. according to the withdrawal of the seat belt. Under the state, a contact arm 24d provided at a tail portion of the switch plate pushes a movable piece to turn on a limit switch 25. Accordingly, the control device detects that the seat belt has been withdrawn.
In the rotating direction detecting switch according to the former invention as described above, the switch plate 24 is integrally molded of a material, such as a resin, having a certain elasticity. However, since a quantity of an elastic deformation of the circular arc edge 24b is small, in case the rotating shaft of the spool is de-centered or biased, a sufficient pressing force can not be obtained, so that the switch plate 24 is not rotated or, conversely, the pressing force is too strong to thereby damage or wear the circular arc edge 24b. Also, there have been problems such that, by the same reason as mentioned above, a tolerance or manufacturing allowable error of the switch plate 24 becomes small, and a high assembling accuracy is required. Further, since a spool shaft input gear having the ring shape groove 23 and the switch plate 24 must be assembled separately, it is not easy to assemble the rotating direction detecting switch.
In view of the problems, the present invention has been made, and an object of the invention is to provide a rotational direction detecting switch, wherein even if a relative positional accuracy between a rotating member, a rotating direction of which is detected, and the switch plate is not so accurate, a relative positional relationship can be detected.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational direction detecting switch as stated above, wherein an assembling can be easily carried out.
A further other object of the present invention is to provide a seat belt retractor, wherein the rotational direction detecting switch as stated above is employed.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.
To attain the above objects, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a rotational direction detecting switch including a spring member elastically contacting an outer circumference of a rotating member; a switch plate for supporting the spring member arranged to rotate around a supporting point and having members for restricting a rotating angle thereof; and a switch for detecting a rotational position of the switch plate.
In the rotational direction detecting switch, the spring member supported by the switch plate elastically contacts the outer circumference of the rotating member to thereby generate an elastic force, so that a friction force is generated between the rotating member and the spring member. Thus, the spring member is moved by the friction force according to rotation of the rotating member, and the switch plate supporting the spring member is rotated around the supporting point. The rotation of the switch plate is detected by the switch, such as a limit switch and a proximity switch, to thereby detect the rotational direction thereof. Incidentally, since the switch plate is provided with the members for restricting its rotating angle, the rotation of the switch plate is limited within a predetermined region.
In the rotational direction detecting switch according to the first aspect, since the spring member is used as a member to contact the rotating member, its possible deformation quantity is large, so that even if a rotating shaft of the rotating member is slightly biased, or relative attaching positions of the rotating member and the switch plate are changed, there is no risk that a sufficient force for rotating the switch plate can not be obtained, and that the spring member and the switch plate are damaged. Incidentally, the members for restricting the rotating angle of the switch plate may be integrally formed with the switch plate.
To attain the above objects, according to a second aspect of the invention, in the rotational direction detecting switch according to the first aspect, the members for restricting the rotating angle are projecting members formed on both sides of a forward edge of the switch plate. The projecting members abut against the rotating member to restrict the rotation of the switch plate. Forward edges of the projecting members are connected by a connecting member to thereby form a loop with the forward edge portion of the switch plate, the projecting members and the connecting member to surround the rotating member.
In the rotational direction detecting switch of the second aspect, when the switch plate is incorporated, the rotating member is inserted into the loop formed by the forward edge portion of the switch plate, the projecting members and the connecting member, and the rotating member and the switch plate are incorporated as a sub-unit. Thus, the rotational direction detecting switch can be easily assembled. Incidentally, the projecting members and the connecting member may be formed integrally.
To attain the above objects, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a seat belt retractor having the rotational direction detecting switch of the first or second aspect.
In the seat belt retractor of the invention, the rotational direction detecting switch according to the first or second aspect is used, the rotational direction of the spool can be positively detected to thereby provide the seat belt rector performing a reliable operation. Also, in case the rotational direction detecting switch according to the second aspect is employed, an assembling work can be easily carried out.

Rotational direction detecting switch and seat belt retractor with rotational direction detecting switch


Electron beam radiation curing of inks on game balls, golf balls and the like is disclosed. Production inks, logo inks and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls and the like are disclosed. To form an electron beam radiation curable water-insoluble production ink, at least an adhesion promoting component is added to an ink base. The adhesion promoting component is selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid functional monomer, a carboxylic acid functional oligomer, an ester functional monomer, an ester functional oligomer and mixtures thereof, the adhesion promoting component having at least one adhesion promoting functional moiety comprising at least about 2 moles of a carbonyl functionality per mole of the adhesion promoting component and being sufficient to maintain adhesion of the production ink of at least about 75% of the inked surface to the topcoat and to the surface of the game ball or the golf ball after electron beam radiation curing and after coating the production ink with the topcoat. To form an electron beam radiation curable water-insoluble logo ink, at least a toughening agent is added to an ink base. The toughening agent is sufficient to maintain adhesion of the logo ink to the topcoat of at least about 75% of the inked surface after electron beam radiation curing.

It is often desirable to apply clear, pigmented or dyed ink coatings or layers to form distinctive logos or production prints on game balls (e.g., golf balls, ping pong balls, billiard balls, baseballs, basketballs, racquet balls, handballs, etc.). Various commercially available inks are commonly used for this purpose.
To clarify the difference between logo printing and production printing, a brief description of these processes as they are applied to game balls such as golf balls (e.g., having curved surfaces) is provided below. Golf balls are commonly one-piece, two-piece or three-piece constructions. One-piece balls are made from a homogeneous polymer shaped into a golf ball. Two-piece golf balls comprise an inner core and an outer surrounding polymeric shell. Three-piece golf balls comprise various combinations of a core (wound or unwound), one or more intermediate polymeric shells and an outer polymeric cover. The cover polymer used in two-piece and three-piece balls may, for example, be balata, an ionomeric polymer (e.g., SURLYN.RTM.) or a polyurethane.
Golf ball covers are commonly painted with a primer coat which may be colored (e.g., white) or transparent. Alternately, the cover itself may contain a colorant. Typically, a tough, often glossy, topcoat is applied over the cover and/or the primer coat to form a protective outer seal on the golf ball. The topcoat may comprise, for example, a two component urethane. The topcoat typically increases the shine (i.e., glossy appearance) of the golf ball to enhance or brighten its appearance.
As used herein, "production printing" is when ink is applied directly to the cover or to the primer coat and the ink is then further coated with a topcoat. The image produced thereby is a "production" print and the ink used for this purpose is a "production" ink. In production printing, for some applications, when ink is applied directly to a cover, the cover surface is first roughened, for example, by sandblasting to enhance the bond between the ink and the cover. Thereafter, the ink is applied to the roughened cover. A transparent water based or solvent based overcoat may be applied over the ink layer and on the roughened cover to smooth out the cover and ink surfaces. Examples of such overcoats include urethane, polyester and acrylic. Thereafter, a topcoat is preferably applied to the overcoat.
Alternatively, "logo printing" as also used herein, involves the application of the ink directly onto a topcoat. The image produced thereby is a "logo" and the ink is a logo (or custom) ink. Thus, by use of production and/or logo printing one may add decorative markings such as a company trademark, symbol or the like to increase brand recognition and/or to enhance the appearance and/or the visibility of golf balls, game balls and the like.
Most commonly, logos and production prints are applied to golf balls by a pad printing process and apparatus. Pad printing uses an etched image plate (i.e., a cliche) having an etching of the desired image. The image plate, typically, is made of a tough material such as metal, steel, other alloy or photopolymer which normally has a uniform thickness except for the area defining the etched image. The plate may optionally be coated with one or more protectant layers or materials, to enhance its useful life.
During pad printing, ink is applied to the image plate, thus filling the etched image. Excess ink is then scraped off of the image plate, leaving behind ink only within the etched image. A printing pad is then momentarily lowered and pressed onto the inked image plate to lift ink off of the etched ink filled cavity onto the printing pad. The ink so lifted defines the shape of the etched image. The inked pad is then momentarily lowered and pressed onto, for example, a golf ball, thereby releasing the ink from the pad to the golf ball. The ink released from the pad forms, on the spherical surface of the ball, an image corresponding to that of the etched cavity.
This process of inking the image plate, scraping off excess ink, lifting off ink onto the printing pad and releasing the ink from the pad to the object (e.g., golf ball) to be inked may be repeated to print a plurality of images on a plurality of types of balls with various inks having desirable ink properties. The process of pad printing is well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,567 (Froh et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,598 (Leech, Jr.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,922 (Denesen); U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,857 (Putnam et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,922 (Ho).
Printing pads are made from a resilient material such as silicone rubber which desirably picks up ink from the etched cavity of the image plate during lift-off and releases all of the ink lifted off when brought into contact with the article to be printed. Once the ink is deposited, it is cured, most commonly by a thermal curing process.
However, during manufacturing of printed articles such as game balls and golf balls, ink transfer problems are often encountered. For example, while it is desirable that all of the ink picked up by the printing pad be fully released onto the article to be printed, sometimes complete release is not achieved. Consequently, subsequent articles to be printed upon by the same printing pad member may have excessive ink or misaligned ink deposited thereon. Such improper ink deposition leads to unwanted ink contamination of balls, either directly between balls or indirectly by first transferring ink to ball handling equipment or both. Resolution of such problems requires expensive positioning equipment to prevent unwanted contact between balls, between ink depositing members and balls and between ball handling equipment and balls, respectively.
To overcome such ink transfer problems, intermediate thermal curing steps are introduced into the manufacturing process. There are several disadvantages to thermal curing, however. These include (1) high energy consumption, (2) long cooling cycles, (3) restricted material selection to thermally curable and thermally stable polymeric materials and (4) use of costly ventilating systems to dissipate vapors generated during thermal curing.
In addition to the problems associated with ink transfer before the ink is cured, post manufacturing problems are also commonly encountered even after curing takes place. Ink layers, after cure, may not possess a desirable level of adhesion to a substrate article surface. For example, a logo printed onto a golf ball topcoat is subjected to repeated "hard" impacts by a golf club during the golf ball's normal useful life. If adhesion, toughness, flexibility and/or hardness are at an undesirable level, ink deposited upon a topcoat (e.g., a logo printed upon a finished ball having an underlying topcoat or a clear coat) and/or ink deposited under a topcoat (e.g., a production print formed by the ink layer being interposed between the cover or primer coat and an overcoat and/or a topcoat) will abrade, flake, crack or otherwise separate from the golf ball topcoat, overcoat, the cover and/or the primer coats. After repeated impacts, such lack of adhesion, toughness, flexibility and/or hardness yields an unsightly golf ball.
To overcome these and other drawbacks, inks used in production and logo printing must have sufficient durability. Durability is influenced by such factors as ink layer flexibility (i.e., ink layer brittleness), ink layer resistance to abrasion, ink migration due to gravity, ink layer hardness, adhesion to golf ball cover polymers such as ionomers (e.g., SURLYN.RTM.), balata, polyurethane, polyolefin and mixtures thereof, adhesion to topcoats, adhesion to primer coats and intercoat adhesion between various layers of inks and/or other overcoats and/or topcoats.
To overcome these and other problems, novel inks (1) that are low energy curable, (2) that require minimal cooling, if any, (3) that are almost instantaneously cured, (4) that obviate or reduce the need for costly ventilating systems and (5) that permit the use of a broader range of polymeric cover, intermediate shell (or windings) or core golf ball and game ball materials are sought. These requirements are met by the low power electron beam curable inks which are the subject of the present invention.

Electron beam radiation curable inks for game balls, golf balls and the like


Card reader/writer devices and methods for reading/writing both M-cards, PICCs, and/or S-cards, wherein such devices can comprise a magnetic head (which can have multiple tracks), an A/D converter, a gated buffer module associated with the A/D converter, an F2F decoder associated with the gated buffer module for enabling the integration of multiple discrete M-card reader formats with decoder functions, and an integral PICC data processor, which can perform the functions of a PCD, for reading/writing a PICC along with the M-card. An internal RF analog antenna circuit can be provided for receiving signals from the PICC, or an external PCD antenna can be connectable to the RF circuit. The F2F decoder can be integrated with the PICC data processor, and the A/D converter can process analog data from both the magnetic head and the RF antenna circuit. A contact module could also be provided to read/write an S-card.

The invention generally relates to card reading and/or writing devices and associated methods, including devices having one or more magnetic heads for reading and/or writing magnetic cards (M-cards) and devices for reading and/or writing smart cards (S-cards) or Proximity Integrated Circuit Cards (PICCs), which are a contactless type of S-card. More particularly, the invention relates to a pseudo intelligent magnetic head and proximity coupling devices for reading/writing both types of cards, and multiple track magnetic head devices for integrating multiple discrete magnetic strip card reader formats with decoder functions, in a single small footprint contained package.
Both PICCs and S-Cards have a chip, e.g., a tiny microprocessor or wired memory logic circuit, embedded in the card. The PICC has a small antenna which can be a made from copper conductive ink or aluminum, that is coiled inside the card, in addition to the embedded microprocessor chip, or memory logic circuit. The PICC can be read/written without making physical contact with a reader/writer, e.g., PCD, so long as the PCD similarly has components for receiving/transmitting the wireless (e.g., RF) signal from the PICC. All that is necessary is to pass the PICC within a certain distance of the PCD.
The S-card, on the other hand, must be brought into contact with a reader/writer, such as by being inserted into a contact module. The contact module makes contact with the chip in the S-card to transfer information is between the contact module and the S-card.
Dual track magnetic head devices, and in some cases tri-track heads, are known in the art. However, such magnetic head devices do not have the ability to selectively decode multiple analog tracks of magnetic information read from a M-card within a single small footprint contained package. Prior art magnetic head devices are also not known to have the capability to further integrate a PCD with antenna to enable a PICC or S-card to be read and written in conjunction with a M-card. Such prior art magnetic head devices also do not have the necessary interface and signaling activity necessary to manage both functions, thereby permitting both M-cards and PICCs, or S-cards, to be managed and processed enabling coexistence.
Conventional dual or tri-track magnetic head devices also struggle with the difficult task of matching a magnetic head selection and output stream with an associated F2F discrete decoder device or devices. In addition, it is not possible to auto configure the magnetic reader to accept multiple tracks with varying formats. Conventional magnetic heads with multiple tracks require both an equal number of associated F2F decoders and interface logic made up of multiple components, thus requiring large undesired footprints and increased power consumption.


Devices, systems, reagents, and methods for the performance of multi-spectrum super resolution microscopy are disclosed.

Super-resolution imaging with single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is based on the principle that images of fluorescently stained samples can be constructed with nanometer spatial resolution by accumulating sub-diffractive localizations of individual fluorophores over time as they stochastically turn on and off. Initial SMLM techniques designated (fluorescence) PhotoActivated Localization Microscopy ((f)PALM) (Betzig E et al, Science 313, 1642-1645 (2006); and Hess S T et al, Biophys J 91, 4258-4272 (2006); both of which are incorporated by reference herein) and (direct) Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy ((d)STORM) (Rust M J et al, Nat Methods 3, 793-795 (2006) and Heilemann M et al, Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 47, 6172-6176 (2008); both of which are incorporated by reference herein) both take advantage of this approach. Fluorophores suited for SMLM exhibit efficient photoswitching and moderate to high single-molecule photon output per switching cycle for precise localization in a densely labeled sample (Dempsey G T et al, Nat Methods 8, 1027-1036 (2011); incorporated by reference herein). SMLM in both fixed and live cells (Jones S A et al, Nat Methods 8, 499-508 (2011); incorporated by reference herein), as well as single-molecule tracking (SMT) in live cells based on SMLM principles Manley S et al, Nat Methods 5, 155-157 (2008); incorporated by reference herein) are now well established to allow analysis of static and dynamic molecular structures that previously could not be resolved.
SMLM becomes especially powerful if multiple molecular species or structures can be imaged simultaneously (Xu K et al, Science 339, 452-456 (2013); Shroff H et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104, 20308-20313 (2007); Bates M et al, Science 317, 1749-1753 (2007); and Pereira P M et al, Methods Cell Biol 125, 95-117 (2015); incorporated by reference herein). Currently, however, SMLM is practically limited to 3-4 colors at maximum since fluorophores used for staining have emission spectra that extend over 50-100 nm (Bates M et al, Chemphyschem 13, 99-107 (2012); incorporated by reference herein). As a consequence, dyes separated in emission wavelength by 50-100 nm are chosen so that their signals can be cleanly separated with emission filters. Even with sophisticated optical setups and image processing algorithms, spectral crosstalk remains significant and non-negligible for biological applications (Gunewardene M S et al, Biophys J 101, 1522-1528 (2011) and Lampe A et al, Biol Cell 104, 229-237 (2012); both of which are incorporated by reference herein). This limitation can be overcome using multiple rounds of labeling, for example through DNA-PAINT (Jungmann R et al, Nat Methods 11, 313-318 (2014); incorporated by reference herein), to increase the number of colors. However these techniques require specialized labeling reagents and time-consuming serial staining and so are not compatible with live cell imaging. Additionally, these approaches typically require multiple lasers, each exciting one fluorophore, thus complicating the imaging scheme and potentially harming living specimens.
Another strategy to achieve multicolor SMLM, which is just starting to be exploited, is to distinguish fluorophores based on their spectral signatures instead of using emission filters. This strategy requires recording molecular positions and spectra at once. Initially this was achieved using confocal (Lundquist P M et al, Opt Lett 33, 1026-1028 (2014); incorporated by reference herein) or line scanning (Cutler P J et al, PLoS One 8, e64320 (2013); incorporated by reference herein) schemes, but both are generally too slow for practical SMLM. Sonehara et al. introduced a prism-based wide field single-molecule spectral imaging scheme to obtain the emission spectra of all fluorescent molecules in the field of view at once; the fluorophores were attached to gold nanoparticles and the fluorophore positions were obtained by imaging the nanoparticles separately. While the authors were able to distinguish 4 fluorophores (emission maxima between 540 and 620 nm), this approach is still not practical for SMLM (Haga T et al, J Fluoresc 23, 591-597 (2013); incorporated by reference herein). In 2014, Broeken and colleagues used a spatial light modulator to disperse a fluorescent signal from single emitters for simultaneous recording of positions and spectra, where the zeroth order diffraction records the position and distance between zeroth and first order spots correspond to the emission wavelength. This eliminated the use of separate positional markers, but the effective spectral resolution of this approach was only ˜50 nm (Broeken J et al, Opt Lett 39, 3352-3355 (2014); incorporated by reference herein).
More recently, Zhang et al., introduced a promising multicolor form of SMLM called spectrally-resolved stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, or SR-STORM, which uses two opposing objectives in a wide-field imaging scheme (Zhang Z et al, Nat Methods 12, 935-938 (2015); incorporated by reference herein). Single molecule images collected by one objective are used to determine the positions of fluorophores in the field of view, and images collected by the other objective are dispersed by a prism so that the emission spectra of the same fluorescent molecules can be determined. This approach was used to acquire 4-color images of fixed cells using 4 fluorophores with highly overlapping emission spectra. The SR-STORM achieved a nominal spectral resolution around ˜10 nm additionally to a spatial resolution of 20-50 nm. This is a significant improvement in spectral resolution over previously reported SMLM. However, the use of two opposing, high numerical aperture objectives requires that the sample be tightly sandwiched between two cover glasses. This space constraint poses severe challenges to sample loading, and it is difficult to apply to live-cell imaging where the cells need to be maintained under physiological conditions with incubation chambers. In addition, it is difficult to implement in commercial high-resolution microscopes since these typically use a single-objective, inverted configuration.

Multispectrum super resolution microscopy