According to the invention, a compressor having a threaded screw connection portion formed directly on a fitting portion of the housing is provided. Since no through bolt or the like for connecting two-parts of the housing is used, the diameter of the housing can be reduced. However, in a case that a suction port and discharge port do not align with an external mounting structure, a mounting means able to slide on the housing and adjust the positions of mounting brackets at least in the direction of rotation is added.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compressor, for a fluid, such as a refrigerant compressor used in an air-conditioning system.
2. Description of the Related Art
One example of a conventional compressor is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-27177. The structure of this compressor is illustrated in FIG. 8. This compressor falls under the category of piston-type variable capacity compressor. The housing is comprised of a front housing 1, a cylinder block 2, and a rear housing 3. A plurality of pistons 7 are inserted into the plurality of cylinder bores 21 formed in the cylinder block 2, and are forced to engage in reciprocating motion by a common drive plate 5. The drive plate 5 is driven to rotate by a shaft 4. This drive plate 5 enables the tilt angle to be smoothly changed and thus enables the discharge capacity of the compressor to be continuously changed. Further, a plurality of mounting brackets 28 to secure this compressor with some objective equipment are formed integrally on the front housing 1 and cylinder block 2, respectively.
In order to integrate the front housing 1, cylinder block 2 and rear housing 3, this compressor has a plurality of through bolts 40 as used frequently in conventional compressors. In a conventional compressor, these through bolts 40 are provided with the outside of the housing in an exposed state. However, due to the plurality of through bolts 40, and as the diameter of the compressor becomes larger by at least the diameter of a through bolt 40, there arises a problem that the size of the compressor as a whole becomes larger.

Compressor with compact screw connected housing and adjustable mounting means


A transmission wave is applied to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a vehicle. Objects ahead of the vehicle are recognized on the basis of reflected waves resulting from reflections of the transmission wave. Calculation is made as to a position of each of the objects and also a lane-sameness probability for each of the objects that the object and the subject vehicle are on a same lane. Object information pieces corresponding to the respective objects represent the calculated positions of the objects and the calculated lane-sameness probabilities for the objects. In cases where at least two objects become substantially equal in position, the two objects are recognized as a single object. One is selected from the two objects which relates to a calculated lane-sameness probability equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The single object takes over an object information piece corresponding to the selected object.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of recognizing an object. In addition, this invention relates to an apparatus for recognizing an object which can be mounted on a vehicle. Furthermore, this invention relates to a recording medium storing a computer program for recognizing an object.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known object recognition apparatus for a vehicle emits a forward wave beam such as a light beam or a millimeter wave beam from the body of the vehicle, and enables the forward wave beam to scan a given angular region in front of the body of the vehicle. In the case where an object exists in the given angular region, the forward wave beam encounters the object before being at least partially reflected thereby. A portion of the reflected wave beam returns to the apparatus as an echo wave beam. The apparatus detects and recognizes the object in response to the echo wave beam.
The known object recognition apparatus is used in a warning system for a vehicle which alarms when an obstacle such as a preceding vehicle exists in a given angular region in front of the present vehicle. The known object recognition apparatus is used also in a system for a vehicle which controls the speed of the vehicle to maintain a proper distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle.
Japanese patent application publication number 8-240660 discloses an on-vehicle apparatus for recognizing objects. The apparatus in Japanese application 8-240660 includes a distance sensor mounted on the present vehicle which detects the longitudinal-direction and transverse-direction distances to objects from the present vehicle. The distance sensor generates detection data having pieces representing distances to objects respectively. The distances to the objects mean positions of the objects relative to the present vehicle. In the apparatus of Japanese application 8-240660, pieces of detection data which correspond to object positions close to each other and in a first prescribed mutual-distance range are collected into a block having a block label. Generally, there are a plurality of blocks. Speeds relative to the present vehicle and corresponding to respective blocks are calculated. Blocks which correspond to positions in a second prescribed mutual-distance range, and which correspond to speeds in a preset speed-difference range are collected into a group having a group label. Finally, an object is recognized from detection data pieces representing a group.
Japanese patent application publication number 11-337636 discloses a rear monitoring system for a vehicle. In the system of Japanese application 11-337636, a rear sensor outputs a plurality of wave motions for detection from the rear of one""s own vehicle toward different regions, and captures the reflected waves in response to each of the wave motions. The location of a wave motion reflecting point in the rear of one""s own vehicle is detected, and an object in the rear of one""s own vehicle is discriminated by an object discriminating means on the basis of the continuity of information on the location of a wave motion reflecting point. Then, the relative speed of the object discriminated by the object discriminating means with respect to one""s own vehicle is computed by deciding means. On the basis of the relative speed, it is determined whether or not the object is an approaching object. When there are a plurality of discriminated objects at this time, the distance between the two objects is compared with a reference distance obtained by multiplying the speed of one""s own vehicle by a predetermined time. When the distance between the two objects is equal to or less than the reference distance, the two objects are decided to be the one and the same object. Thus, in this case, the two objects are recognized as a single object at the object discriminating means.
Japanese patent application publication number 9-15331 discloses an on-vehicle apparatus for detecting an object. The apparatus in Japanese application 9-15331 includes a distance sensor which detects a distance between its own vehicle and an object by transmission and reception of laser light. Output data from the distance sensor are developed by a coordinate development means on the X-Y coordinates for which the longitudinal direction from the own vehicle is taken as the Y axis and the lateral direction as the X axis. A cell forming means which provides a plurality of cells divided at prescribed intervals in the directions of the X and Y axes sets the developed data on the cells, and outputs the X-Y coordinates and the number of the data of each cell as cell information. Based on this information, an object discriminating means attaches the same label to the cells near to each other, and discriminates a plurality of cells as the same object. Then, a setting number of data being closer in the distance in the longitudinal direction are selected out of the cell data corresponding to the same object, and the longitudinal-direction distances corresponding to the selected data are averaged into a mean value. The mean value is used as an indication of the distance in the longitudinal direction from the own vehicle to the object.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,565 discloses an inter-vehicle distance control system which includes a laser scanning type distance sensor for moving a laser beam in a width-wise direction of a system vehicle to implement scanning and to determine relative positions and relative angles of objects within a forward detectable zone. A determination is made as to same lane probabilities that the objects exist in the same lane of a road as the system vehicle on the basis of a variable probability distribution and the relative positions and the relative angles of the objets. A target preceding vehicle is selected from the objects on the basis of the same lane probabilities. Information of the target preceding vehicle is used in controlling the speed of the system vehicle to keep constant the distance to the target preceding vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,463 discloses an obstacle recognition system for a vehicle which includes a radar device for emitting a wave beam into a given angular range outside a vehicle, and scanning the given angular range by the wave beam. The radar device detects a reflected wave beam. A recognizing device is operative for recognizing an obstacle with respect to the vehicle on the basis of the result of detection of the reflected wave beam by the radar device. In the recognizing device, a point recognizing section recognizes obstacles as points, and a uniting section is operative for uniting adjacent points among the points provided by the point recognizing section. The uniting section provides sets each having adjacent points. A line-segment recognizing section is operative for detecting a specific set or specific sets of adjacent points among the adjacent-point sets provided by the uniting section, and for recognizing every detected specific set as a line segment having a length only along a width direction of the vehicle. Every specific set has a length smaller than a given length along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A position estimating section estimates the position of a line segment, which will be provided by the line-segment recognizing section, in response to the position of a previously-provided line segment. An identity judging section is operative for comparing the line-segment position estimated by the position estimating section and the position of a line segment currently provided by the line-segment recognizing section to judge whether or not the line segment currently provided by the line-segment recognizing section and the previously-provided line segment are the same.
It is known to use target models in object recognition for a vehicle. In some cases, there simultaneously occur a correct target model and a wrong target model as a result of recognition concerning one object. The wrong target model is caused by, for example, noise. Generally, every target model has object information. An example of the object information includes a piece representing the center position of an object, a piece representing the size of the object, and a piece representing the speed of the object relative to the vehicle. When two target models become positionally coincident with each other, one of them is selected as an effective target model and the other is deleted. Thus, only the object information related to the selected target model continues to be effective. An example of conditions of the selection is as follows. Measurement is given of a first time interval during which a first target model is continuously detected, and a second time interval during which a second target model is continuously detected. In the case where the first and second target models become positionally coincident with each other, the first and second measured time intervals are compared with each other to decide which of them is longer (or which of them is shorter). Then, one of the first and second target models which corresponds to the longer measured time interval is selected as an effective target model. This selection is based on the idea that one of the first and second target models which corresponds to the longer measured time interval agrees with a correct target model while the other agrees with a wrong target model.
There is a chance that under certain circumstances, one of the first and second target models which corresponds to the shorter measured time interval agrees with a correct target model while the other agrees with a wrong target model. In these circumstances, the correct target model is deleted, and the wrong target model is selected. The deletion of the correct target model reduces the accuracy of object recognition.
It is a first object of this invention to provide a method of accurately recognizing an object.
It is a second object of this invention to provide an apparatus for accurately recognizing an object.
It is a third object of this invention to provide a recording medium storing a computer program for accurately recognizing an object.
A first aspect of this invention provides a method of applying a transmission wave to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a subject vehicle, and recognizing objects located ahead of the subject vehicle on the basis of reflected waves which result from reflections of the transmission wave. The method comprises the steps of calculating positions of the objects; calculating a lane-sameness probability for each of the objects that the object and the subject vehicle are on a same lane; generating object information pieces corresponding to the objects respectively, the object information pieces representing the calculated positions of the objects and the calculated lane-sameness probabilities for the objects; determining whether or not at least two objects among the objects become substantially equal in position; in cases where it is determined that at least two objects become substantially equal in position, recognizing the at least two objects as a single object; selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a calculated lane-sameness probability equal to or higher than a predetermined value; and causing said single object to take over an object information piece corresponding to the selected object.
A second aspect of this invention provides a method of applying a transmission wave to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a subject vehicle, and recognizing objects located ahead of the subject vehicle on the basis of reflected waves which result from reflections of the transmission wave. The method comprises the steps of calculating positions of the objects; determining whether or not a recognition state of each of the objects is stable; generating object information pieces corresponding to the objects respectively, the object information pieces representing the calculated positions of the objects and whether or not the recognition states of the objects are stable; determining whether or not at least two objects among the objects become substantially equal in position; in cases where it is determined that at least two objects become substantially equal in position, recognizing the at least two objects as a single object; selecting one from the at least two objects whose recognition state is determined to be stable; and causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the selected object.
A third aspect of this invention provides a method of applying a transmission wave to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a subject vehicle, and recognizing objects located ahead of the subject vehicle on the basis of reflected waves which result from reflections of the transmission wave. The method comprises the steps of periodically calculating positions of the objects; estimating current positions of the objects on the basis of previously calculated positions thereof; calculating deviations between the estimated current positions of the objects and currently calculated positions thereof; generating object information pieces corresponding to the objects respectively, the object information pieces representing the calculated positions of the objects and the calculated deviations related to the objects; determining whether or not at least two objects among the objects become substantially equal in position; in cases where it is determined that at least two objects become substantially equal in position, recognizing the at least two objects as a single object; selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a smallest calculated deviation; and causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the selected object.
A fourth aspect of this invention provides an object recognition apparatus comprising radar means for applying a transmission wave to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a subject vehicle, and detecting objects on the basis of reflected waves which result from reflections of the transmission wave; and recognizing means for recognizing objects located ahead of the subject vehicle on the basis of results of detection by the radar means. The recognizing means comprises 1) first means for calculating positions of the recognized objects; 2) second means for calculating a lane-sameness probability for each of the recognized objects that the object and the subject vehicle are on a same lane; 3) third means for generating object information pieces corresponding to the recognized objects respectively, the object information pieces representing the calculated positions of the recognized objects and the calculated lane-sameness probabilities for the recognized objects; 4) fourth means for determining whether or not at least two objects among the recognized objects become substantially equal in position; 5) fifth means for, in cases where the fourth means determines that at least two objects become substantially equal in position, recognizing the at least two objects as a single object; 6) sixth means for selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a calculated lane-sameness probability equal to or higher than a predetermined value; and 7) seventh means for causing said single object to take over an object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the sixth means.
A fifth aspect of this invention provides an object recognition apparatus comprising radar means for applying a transmission wave to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a subject vehicle, and detecting objects on the basis of reflected waves which result from reflections of the transmission wave; and recognizing means for recognizing objects located ahead of the subject vehicle on the basis of results of detection by the radar means. The recognizing means comprises 1) first means for calculating positions of the recognized objects; 2) second means for determining whether or not a recognition state of each of the recognized objects is stable; 3) third means for generating object information pieces corresponding to the recognized objects respectively, the object information pieces representing the calculated positions of the recognized objects and whether or not the recognition states of the recognized objects are stable; 4) fourth means for determining whether or not at least two objects among the recognized objects become substantially equal in position; 5) fifth means for, in cases where the fourth means determines that at least two objects become substantially equal in position, recognizing the at least two objects as a single object; 6) sixth means for selecting one from the at least two objects whose recognition state is determined to be stable; and 7) seventh means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the sixth means.
A sixth aspect of this invention provides an object recognition apparatus comprising radar means for applying a transmission wave to a predetermined range in a width-wise direction of a subject vehicle, and detecting objects on the basis of reflected waves which result from reflections of the transmission wave; and recognizing means for recognizing objects located ahead of the subject vehicle on the basis of results of detection by the radar means. The recognizing means comprises 1) first means for periodically calculating positions of the recognized objects; 2) second means for estimating current positions of the recognized objects on the basis of previously calculated positions thereof; 3) third means for calculating deviations between the estimated current positions of the recognized objects and currently calculated positions thereof; 4) fourth means for generating object information pieces corresponding to the recognized objects respectively, the object information pieces representing the calculated positions of the recognized objects and the calculated deviations related to the recognized objects; 5) fifth means for determining whether or not at least two objects among the recognized objects become substantially equal in position; 6) sixth means for, in cases where the fifth means determines that at least two objects become substantially equal in position, recognizing the at least two objects as a single object; 7) seventh means for selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a smallest calculated deviation; and 8) eighth means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the seventh means.
A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof, and provides an object recognition apparatus wherein the recognizing means further comprises eighth means for determining whether or not a recognition state of each of the recognized objects is stable; ninth means for adding results of the determining by the eighth means to the object information pieces; tenth means for, either in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities equal to or higher than the predetermined value or in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities less than the predetermined value, selecting one from the at least two objects whose recognition state is determined to be stable; and eleventh means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the tenth means.
An eighth aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof, and provides an object recognition apparatus wherein the recognizing means further comprises eighth means for estimating current positions of the recognized objects on the basis of previously calculated positions thereof; ninth means for calculating deviations between the estimated current positions of the recognized objects and currently calculated positions thereof; tenth means for adding the deviations calculated by the ninth means to the object information pieces; eleventh means for, either in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities equal to or higher than the predetermined value or in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities less than the predetermined value, selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a smallest calculated deviation; and twelfth means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the eleventh means.
A ninth aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof, and provides an object recognition apparatus wherein the recognizing means further comprises eighth means for determining whether or not a recognition state of each of the recognized objects is stable; ninth means for adding results of the determining by the eighth means to the object information pieces; tenth means for estimating current positions of the recognized objects on the basis of previously calculated positions thereof; eleventh means for calculating deviations between the estimated current positions of the recognized objects and currently calculated positions thereof; twelfth means for adding the deviations calculated by the eleventh means to the object information pieces; thirteenth means for, either in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities equal to or higher than the predetermined value and only one of the at least two objects has a recognition state determined to be stable or in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities less than the predetermined value and only one of the at least two objects has a recognition state determined to be stable, selecting one from the at least two objects whose recognition state is determined to be stable; fourteenth means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the thirteenth means; fifteenth means for, either in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities equal to or higher than the predetermined value and two or more of the at least two objects have recognition states determined to be stable or in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities less than the predetermined value and two or more of the at least two objects have recognition states determined to be stable, selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a smallest calculated deviation; and sixteenth means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the fifteenth means.
A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the fifth aspect thereof, and provides an object recognition apparatus wherein the recognizing means further comprises eighth means for estimating current positions of the recognized objects on the basis of previously calculated positions thereof; ninth means for calculating deviations between the estimated current positions of the recognized objects and currently calculated positions thereof; tenth means for adding the deviations calculated by the ninth means to the object information pieces; eleventh means for, either in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities equal to or higher than the predetermined value and two or more of the at least two objects have recognition states determined to be stable or in cases where a plurality of objects among the at least two objects relate to calculated lane-sameness probabilities less than the predetermined value and two or more of the at least two objects have recognition states determined to be stable, selecting one from the at least two objects which relates to a smallest calculated deviation; and twelfth means for causing said single object to take over the object information piece corresponding to the object selected by the eleventh means.
An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the fifth aspect thereof, and provides an object recognition apparatus wherein the second means in the recognizing means comprises means for calculating an acceleration of each of the recognized objects relative to the subject vehicle, means for judging whether or not the calculated acceleration is in a predetermined range hardly occurring under usual traffic conditions, means for, when the calculated acceleration is judged to be in the predetermined range, determining that a recognition state of the related object is not stable, and means for, when the calculated acceleration is judged to be not in the predetermined range, determining that a recognition state of the related object is stable.
A twelfth aspect of this invention provides a recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer operating as the recognizing means in the object recognition apparatus of the fourth aspect of this invention.

Method and apparatus for recognizing object


Methods of inducing weight loss and treating adult-onset diabetes in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal Momordica lectin or pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction. Lectin pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to methods of treating adult onset diabetes by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a lectin capable of inducing a decline in food intake and inducing hypoglycemia. The present invention also relates to methods of inducing weight loss by administering an effective amount of a lectin capable of inducing a decline in food intake and repeating the administering step to maintain the decline in food intake. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of treating adult-onset diabetes and inducing weight loss with the mixture of lectins known as pokeweed mitogen and the bitter pear melon lectin.
Adult-onset Type II diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in this country. Because it is exacerbated by obesity, treatment of this disease is often two-pronged, using drugs to maintain normal blood glucose concentrations and diet therapy to promote weight loss. However, current hypoglycemia drugs are not always effective, and adherence to diet therapy is generally poor.
Lectins are a general class of proteins that bind to carbohydrates. The binding of these lectins to carbohydrates that are part of cell membrane receptors can result in cell activation. This is particularly well characterized with cells of the immune system. Lectins are widely used to stimulate immune function in in vitro studies.
The crude extract of the lectins from the pokeweed plant, Phytolacca americana is referred to as pokeweed mitogen. Pokeweed mitogen is a mixture of five lectins, which are designated as Pa-1 to Pa-S. These range in size from 19 to 30 kD, and contain approximately 3 percent carbohydrate. The ligand for all the pokeweed lectins is N-acetyl glucosamine. Despite binding to the same ligands, there is a disparity between the bioactivity of the five pokeweed mitogen lectins. Only Pa-1 is a polymer, and only Pa-1 stimulates B cells. Further, Pa-2 to Pa-5, all of which stimulate T cells, do so with widely differing potency.
Effects attributed to pokeweed mitogen include stimulation of the immune system, with the appearance of plasma cells in the peripheral circulation, the release of interferon-y and tryptophan metabolites, and transient splenomegaly secondary to blood engorgement. Zazula et al., P.S.E.B.M., 133, 1088-92 (1970), disclosed that the intravenous injection of pokeweed mitogen to mice produced a marked increase in the weight of the spleen, with an increase in the number of nucleated cells, lymphoblasts, and mitotic figures. A marked increase in the total number of plasma cells was also produced, but these cells did not appear in the peripheral blood, and the effect of pokeweed mitogen was limited to a transient leukopenia. One to three days after the administration of pokeweed mitogen at a level of 175 mg/kg, all mice lost an average of 1.5 g of body weight, but by day five showed a net weight gain. Weight loss following pokeweed mitogen infusion is not consistently reported in the literature.
Wheat germ agglutinin is a lectin that shares structural and binding properties with pokeweed mitogen lectins. Mice given wheat germ agglutinin developed a non-significant hypoglycemia and a decline in food intake, but no weight loss. Like Pa-2 to Pa-5, wheat germ agglutinin stimulates T cells.
There exists a need for a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diabetes mellitus that produces both a lowered circulating glucose level and an anorexic state that results in the loss of body weight.
This need is met by the present invention. It has now been discovered that a chloroform precipitatable fraction of pokeweed mitogen likely to be lectin Pa-1 not only possesses the insulinomimetic properties of wheat germ agglutinin, thereby producing a decline in circulating glucose levels by binding to cell insulin receptors, but, unlike wheat germ agglutinin, Pa-1 also binds to insulin receptors in the brain to produce an anorexic state and consequent weight loss. It has further been discovered that the lectin from the bitter pear melon Momordica charantia also induces hypoglycemia and an anorexic state and consequential weight loss to a degree equivalent to that induced by the Pa-1 chloroform precipitate.
Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating adult-onset diabetes in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal a pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction in an amount between about 1 and about 100 micrograms per kilogram of body weight that is effective to induce hypoglycemia in said mammal.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating adult-onset diabetes in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal a dosage form consisting essentially of Momordica lectin in an amount effective to induce hypoglycemia in the mammal. Preferred methods in accordance with this aspect of the present invention further include the step of continuing the administering step to maintain the hypoglycemia state. The preferred dosage amount is between about 1 and about 100 micrograms per kg of body weight per day, and even more preferable is an amount effective to induce a decline in food intake. An even more preferred method continues the administering step daily until the decline in food intake produces a weight loss of at least about 10 percent.
The lectins of the present invention also induce a decline in food intake and consequential weight loss and may be administered advantageously to any patient who would obtain a health benefit from a loss of weight. Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inducing weight loss in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal a lectin selected from a pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction and Momordica lectin in an amount between about 1 and about 100 micrograms per kg. of body weight per day that is effective to stimulate a decline in food intake in the mammal, and continuing the administering step to maintain the decline in food intake.
The present invention incorporates the discovery that the lectins of the present invention may be administered in an amount that stimulates a decline in food intake without inducing hypoglycemia. Therefore, preferred weight loss methods according to the present invention administer to the mammal a pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction or Momordica lectin in an amount effective to induce a decline in food intake in the mammal without inducing hypoglycemia.
However, dosage levels that induce both a decline in food intake and hypoglycemia may be advantageously employed in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes to control both blood sugar levels and patient weight. Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating adult-onset diabetes in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal a dosage form consisting essentially of Momordica lectin in an amount effective to induce a decline in food intake and induce hypoglycemia in the mammal, and repeating the administering step daily until the decline in food intake produces a weight loss of at least about 10%.
The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions consisting essentially of an effective amount of lectin selected from pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction and Momordica lectin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be in either oral or systemic dosage forms.
While not being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction and Momordica lectin produced weight loss in addition to hypoglycemia by crossing the blood-brain barrier and binding to insulin receptors in the brain. It is believed that other lectins that produced only hypoglycemia without a corresponding weight loss are capable of binding to cell membrane insulin receptors to increase cellular glucose uptake and reduce circulating glucose levels, but are incapable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to bind to insulin receptors in the brain.
While weight loss following pokeweed mitogen infusion was not consistently shown in the prior art literature, the contradictory findings are believed to have resulted from differing preparations of the pokeweed mitogen, with the predominance of different forms of the lectins. The present invention incorporates the discovery that in order to obtain consistent weight loss, a pokeweed mitogen chloroform precipitatable fraction must be employed.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the preferred embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A machining center including a machine main body, an upper section of which supports a head moving device and a head raising and lowering device, configured such that a tool magazine is stored inside the machine main body, and with a magazine moving device configured to move the tool magazine such that, during tool exchange, the tool magazine is advanced to protrude from a side of the machine main body, so that, from the multiple tool holders, the tool holder used for exchange is positioned inside the movement range of the main shaft by the head moving device, and wherein the entire tool magazine is able to be moved beyond the movement range of the tool magazine by the magazine moving device to a position outside of the machine main body and detached from the machine main body.

Disclosed in patent literature 1 below is a vertical machining center provided with: (A) a main shaft head including a main shaft on which a tool is attached and a main shaft rotating device that rotates the main shaft; (B) a head raising and lowering device that moves the main shaft head in a vertical direction; (C) a head moving device that moves the main shaft head in a horizontal plane by moving it in two perpendicular directions; (D) a work table that holds a work; and (E) a tool magazine for storing multiple tools equipped with multiple tool holders that each hold a tool to be attached to the main shaft, wherein one of the multiple tools stored in the tool magazine can be automatically exchanged with the tool attached to the main shaft; this vertical machining center is otherwise known as a machining center provided with an automatic tool exchange device.


An inventory system including a plurality of mobile inventory trays with a positioning system that enables the mobile inventory trays to determine their three-dimensional coordinates within a facility and thereby navigate a factory floor. The mobile inventory trays are also equipped with a communication system in order to determine optimum mobile inventory trays to fill order requests for items of inventory. The mobile inventory trays interface with a material handling system to receive order requests and deliver inventory items to pack stations located on the factory floor. The resulting system is a real-time parallel-processing order fulfillment and inventory management system. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

The order fulfillment step in the distribution system process is often one of the largest cost components in moving inventory from production to end consumer. This is due to the fact that final order assembly is typically labor intensive and time consuming as operators move among inventory locations and manually handle items. The order fulfillment step involves selecting multiple individual inventory items from among a large assortment of possible items. In contrast, the steps prior to the order fulfillment step in the distribution system process are generally more efficient since they handle inventory in bulk operations such as moving a truckload at a time, a full pallet of one product, or even whole cases.
Due to its large labor costs, order fulfillment operations have long been the focus of innovations designed to reduce labor. These developments have taken the form of pick-to-light technology, wireless barcode readers, conveyor systems that move orders to operators and even automated storage and retrieval systems ("ASRS") that bring the inventory to the worker. Common ASRS solutions are sometimes called carousels or stockers. A typical carousel may have several thousand storage bins installed in a rotating structure that operates similar to the spinning clothes rack at a dry cleaning facility. Another type of solution known as a tilt-tray sorter can combine an ASRS with an automated, revolving tray mechanism that helps sort items coming from inventory into their target order bins. Yet another solution is to provide fixed racking aisles served by a gantry robot that moves in and out of the aisles to bring inventory to the front of the storage system.
These solutions have been embraced by the distribution industry for their ability to streamline operations and cut operating costs. Yet fulfillment costs remain high and distribution system managers are under continuous pressure to trim operating costs.
One major shortcoming of the current set of order fulfillment solutions is complexity. These automated systems often involve complex control software, lengthy installation integration and bring-up time, and fail to perform robustly over long periods. Current solutions must be monitored, tuned, and managed by experts with sophisticated knowledge of the system's workings. In addition, these systems are often inflexible to new processes that may be required as an organization's needs change.
What is needed is an order fulfillment system that is simple to install, operate, and maintain, and that would further reduce operating costs.

Material handling system and method using mobile autonomous inventory trays and peer-to-peer communications


A liquid treatment apparatus (10) for processing a liquid includes an inlet nozzle (12) having an orifice (16) for directing a flow of liquid through the orifice (16) to define a fluid jet, and a concial diffuser (18) including a tip (20), a base portion (22), and a curved surface (26) therebetween. The conical diffuser (18) is generally aligned with the orifice (16) such that the fluid jet impacts upon the tip (20) of the conical diffuser (18). Moreover, the curvature of the curved surface (26) is selected to maintain a substantially constant Froude number of the liquid along the conical diffuser (18).

Many industrial processes rely on various chemical reactions in a liquid medium to achieve a certain end product. Accordingly, manufacturers and others that perform these industrial processes continually seek improvements to these processes so as to improve their efficiency and provide a cost benefit. By way of example, increasing the collision frequency in chemical reactions occurring in a liquid medium may result in a decrease in processing time, which may lead to an increase in overall production and decrease in operating costs, and/or a decrease in chemical consumption in the liquid medium for achieving the desired result which may also reduce operating costs. Increasing collision frequency via increasing shear rates may also serve to increase surface area of weakly bonded particulate matter and/or flocs. These are only exemplary and, depending on the specific application, many other benefits may be gained by increasing shear rates.
As an example, two types of industrial applications that may benefit from increased diffusion rates are reactions involving catalysts and enzymes.
Current static mixers do not sufficiently utilize available energy to optimize shear rates in order to enhance reactions. For example, static mixers sold under the trademark Kenics do not effectively generate a thin liquid film while maintaining laminar flow and increasing acceleration, such that these mixers do not provide optimized shear rates. Therefore, a need exists for a liquid flow processor which enhances reactions by optimizing shear rates.

Radial flow processor and method for using same


The present invention relates to a light laminated acoustic absorption sheet. The light laminated acoustic absorption sheet with flame retardant is characterized in that one or more thermoplastic fibers (a) having a low melting point and selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene-polyester copolymers, and one or more polyester interlaced-textured yarns or thermoplastic hollow fibers (b) having a higher melting point than the thermoplastic fiber (a) and selected from polyester, polyethylene, nylon, hot-meltable fluororesin are mixed and opened so as to prepare a mat, and two or more sheets of mats are laminated by using an apparatus of manufacturing a stampable sheet so as to manufacture the laminated sheet, and then the laminated sheet is impregnated with flame retardant liquid.

As a result of recent accelerated industrial development, serious damage due to noise has been increased. Thus, various acoustic absorption materials had been developed, and wasted tire chips, cork and foam rubber was mainly used as the conventional acoustic absorption materials. These acoustic absorption materials are low-priced and eco-friendly, but have some disadvantages that they have a non-uniform filled thickness and a slow working speed and also a crack may be generated. Further, in case of the cork or the foam rubber, they have a uniform filled thickness and an excellent constructability, but also have some disadvantages that they have a complicated working process and a separated gap and also the crack may be generated.
Therefore, there have been developed various acoustic absorption materials like an acoustic absorption board made of polyester fiber, or made by foaming resin such as urethane, polypropylene, polyethylene and the like.
However, in case of the acoustic absorption material made of polyester fiber, if liquid flame retardant is added to manufacture an acoustic absorption material having flame retardancy, there are some problems that, since a weight of the acoustic absorption material is considerably increased, it is inconvenient to convey it and also it is difficult to carry out a construction work.

Laminated acoustic absorption sheet with flame retardant


A system for cleaning large storage tanks having a relatively small access opening is disclosed. An insertion chamber housing a dual tracked collapsible robotically operated vehicle is attached to a side entry port of the tank. The dual tracked vehicle is hydraulically powered up and enters the tank, whereupon it expands into its open operating condition. The dual tracked vehicle carries an articulatable nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid in all directions in two planes mutually perpendicular to each other inside the tank. It also carries a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) which is used by a remote operator to monitor its position and to control its movements.

This invention concerns systems for cleaning storage tanks such as are in common usage in petrochemical plants or in oil refineries. More particularly, the invention concerns robotic systems for cleaning such tanks wherein shorter times for cleaning, safer working conditions for workers in the cleaning process, and tighter environmental controls on gaseous or noxious emissions can be achieved than were heretofore obtainable.
Storage tanks having diameters of from 20 to 150 feet are in common usage in refineries and chemical plants. Such tanks are generally closed to the atmosphere by floating or fixed roofs and thereby can contain noxious or aromatic liquids. With passage of time it may be desirable to convert such a tank to a different storage liquid or the tank may become fouled by sediment resulting from a chemical process or by rust, corrosion, or the like, and it becomes necessary to clean the interior of such tanks. Also certain tanks containing pyrophoric materials can be cleaned by this method without removing the purge or by continuously wetting the total internal area of the tank.

Tank cleaning system using collapsible robotic tank entry vehicle


An ink composition having a pH of about 5 to about 10 contains a colorant, a liquid carrier and less than about 5 wt. % of a desizing agent. The desizing agent may be (1) poly(oxyalkylene) modified compounds of sorbitan esters, fatty amines, alkanol amides, castor oil, fatty acid, fatty alcohol; (2) hydrophilic poly(dialkyl-siloxanes); (3) fatty imidazolines; (4) fatty ester modified compounds of phosphate, sorbitan, glycerol, poly(ethylene glycol), sulfosuccinic acid, sulfonic acid, alkyl amine; (5) quaternary alkosulfate compounds; (6) poly(propylene oxide)--poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers; (7) poly(alkylene glycol); or (8) mixtures thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ink jet printing, and more particularly, to ink compositions for ink jet printers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ink compositions, especially those for use with ink jet printers, must satisfy a number of conditions in order to achieve acceptable printing. Generally, it is desirable to provide good print quality. A fast drying ink composition is also desirable. However, fast drying inks tend to suffer from poor print quality due to feathering, intercolor bleeding, and the like.
The print quality of an ink may also be affected by the printing medium used. For example, paper is often sized with sizing components for the purpose of retarding or preventing penetration of liquids into the structure. This is commonly done by introducing a material to the pulp during the paper making operation. Paper may be sized internally or on the surface. Acid sizing chemicals, such as Mon size available from Monsanto Chemical Company or alkaline sizing chemicals such as Hercon-76 available from Hercules Company, are precipitated onto the fibers primarily for the purpose of controlling penetration of liquids into the final dry paper. This process is known as internal sizing. Surface sizing involves the application of dispersions of film-forming substances such as converted starches, gums and modified polymers to previously formed paper. Surface sizing imparts strength to the paper and thus high quality printing papers are often surface sized as well. These internally and surface sized papers, when used with an ink jet printer containing predominantly water based inks, yield images which have undesirable pronounced intercolor bleed. The extent of intercolor bleed is reduced slightly with papers which are internally sized with no surface sizing.
It has been attempted to make the pH of the ink strongly basic or to add a large amount of a surfactant to the ink. An ink which is strongly alkaline is dangerous when the ink is touched, and also involves the drawbacks that it does not fair well with respect to feathering and drying characteristics for papers in which certain kinds of sizing agents are employed. On the other hand, a large amount of surfactant may lead to adverse effects as well, such as feathering, poor ejectability from ink jet nozzles, and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,691 to Owatari et al. discloses a liquid ink for printers comprising a chemical component which dissolves at least one of a fibrous material, sizing material, and a surface treatment material. The component is a strong basic material which permits the ink to penetrate through a paper and dry rapidly upon impact. The strong basic material is a strong alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, which may react with a wetting agent such as glycerin to form an alkoxide. The pH of the ink is between about 10 and 14.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,515 to Koike et al. discloses a recording liquid composition comprising water, a water-soluble dye, and an organic solvent. The organic solvent can sufficiently dissolve the dye and rapidly precipitate the dye by evaporation of the water in the ink so that high quality printing on a paper with a high or low degree of sizing can be accomplished. The water soluble dye has a solubility of 5% by weight or less in the organic solvent. The organic solvent may include polyalkylene glycols, block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and others, present in an amount from 2 to 70% by weight, preferably 5 to 65% by weight, and more preferably 10 to 60% by weight.
Ozaki et al, Fixing Time of Ink-Jet Inks on Plain Paper, SPIE Vol. 1079 Hard Copy Output (1989), pp. 384-388, discloses the use of glycols to dissolve sizing agents such as resins in order to improve drying times on plain paper, especially papers containing resin. The inks have a viscosity greater than 4cP and drying times greater than a few seconds. The amount of glycol is greater than 5 wt. %.
There remains a need for ink compositions that are useful in ink jet printing processes, including color printing processes.

Ink jet ink compositions containing desizing agents


An apertured mask for enhancing the learning of specific functions controllable from an instrument panel by a trainee. In one embodiment, the mask for an instrument panel comprises an opaque overlay having at least one opening for revealing a group of instruments from this panel, and mounting means for retaining this overlay in a fixed relationship with the exclusive group of instruments. A plurality of juxtaposed flaps may also be provided for optionally covering a portion or an entirety of the opening of the mask. In another embodiment, any two juxtaposed flaps have along a common bordering edge thereof dust seal means for closing a gap between each flap. In a further embodiment, each mask from a plurality of masks for a same instrument panel, has a distinct set of apertures for revealing a distinct number of exclusive instruments from that panel, for teaching a trainee about a distinct process from a group of processes controllable from that instrument panel.

An instrument panel is generally complex and may at times be relatively confusing for a novice. For example, a typical sound mixer console of a broadcast studio comprises an assortment of dials, indicator lights and several channels each having numerous buttons for controlling sound pitch, intensity, echo effect, fading, and mixing sound signals from different sound input devices. The sight of such a multitude of instruments is known to intimidate most individuals training on these consoles. Hence, teaching those trainees is often tedious and not effected without experiencing numerous errors. Therefore, an instructor's attendance is continuously required during a training session, to prevent the transmission of unwanted audio signals.
Learning to operate industrial control consoles is similarly known to be a substantial, mind-boggling undertaking for new employees. These individuals are often overwhelmed by the apparent necessity to comprehend at once all functions controllable from a console cabinet. The ability of these trainees to learn the operation of a single process is often obscured by the complexity of the whole instrument layout. Such learning difficulties in an industrial environment may lead a trainee to operate an improper piece of machinery, thereby endangering the health of other workers or causing extensive equipment damages.


A panel system for covering a lengthwise segment of an elongate firearm mounting rail. The panel system comprises at least one pair of identically shaped panel halves. Each panel half comprises a body having a top, a bottom, an abutting proximal edge and a distal edge. At least one axial tongue extends from the abutting proximal edge and a corresponding axial groove having a groove mouth is defined in the body. A cantilevered clip extends from the abutting proximal edge. A clip receptacle is defined by the body. A proximally extending lip extends from the body bottom near the distal edge. Each panel half is configured so that with the abutting proximal edges brought into abutment, each axial tongue of each panel is received in a corresponding axial groove of the other and each cantilevered clip engages the clip receptacle of the other.

Modern firearms, in particular, military assault rifles, can be deployed for a number of combat missions such as sniper weapons and in close combat. They are commonly used for nighttime combat. These applications can require fitting a variety of telescopic sites, infrared sites, tactical lights, laser sighting modules, grenade launchers, bipods and other accessories to the firearm. For mounting purposes, standardized mounting platforms have been developed. One such platform is known as a Picatinny rail, which is a standardized mounting rail. The standard was first published by the Picatinny Arsenal and carries the official title MIL-STD-1913. It is also known by a NATO designation STANAG 2324. The Picatinny rail is a cross-section shaped roughly like a wide T with the top of the T corresponding to the top of the rail. The rail has a number of evenly spaced transverse slots in the top spanning the width of the T-shaped cross-section. The Picatinny rail the transverse slots or "locking slots" have a standard width of 0.206 inch (5.2324 mm) and the spacing of the slot centers is 0.394 inch (10.0076 mm) with a slot depth of 0.118 inch (2.9972 mm).
Such rails are often placed directly on the weapon's receiver, in the position normally occupied by the rear sights. The rail may also extend over rifle hand guards associated with the rifle barrel. Mounting rails such as Picatinny rails were originally used for telescopic sights and were originally found only on larger caliber rifles. With the prevalence of night vision devices, they started to appear on smaller assault rifles as well, to the point today where they are displacing iron sights used on older weapons and now sights are provided that can be mounted on the rails. In addition to top mounting rails, firearms may now include rails fastened to guns in various locations. In some cases, grips are surrounded with top, bottom and side rails. Mounting rails are also appearing on shotguns and pistols.
While the mounting rails have obvious utilitarian benefits, they are not without some shortcomings. Most notably, they can be uncomfortable when grasped by a user's hands and may under certain field conditions become clogged with dirt and other debris that make it difficult to install one of the many accessories receivable on the rails. To address these problems, a number of rail covers have been developed. One form of rail cover is designed to embrace the top of the T and be slid onto the rail lengthwise. Among the problems with such a rail cover is it can be difficult to slide onto longer rails due to the inherent friction. In addition, if there is debris lodged in the rail slots this can interfere with sliding this type of rail cover on. While in many instances such rail covers can be cut to a select length, this is an extra step making such rail covers more incontinent to use. Finally, such rail covers are typically formed as a single elongate piece of only one color, which is not optimum for a camouflage effect.
Flexible mounted panels generally work better than the slide-on type since they do not have to slide down the entire length of rail. Instead they are mounted by engaging one end of the flexible panel over an end of the T and then engaging the other end of the panel with the other end of the T. One advantage of this form of mounting is that sights and lasers which require precise alignment do not have to be removed and recalibrated when reconfiguring modular weapons and panels. Additionally, they can be more easily customized for length to fit specific areas of rail which need protection or are useful for grasping. However, since flexibly-mounted panels are somewhat pliable, they can be affected negatively by temperature extremes. In elevated temperatures such as desert warfare conditions, flexible panels may become too soft to be effectively retained by the rail. That is, they may shift or fall off under heavy operational use. This problem is exacerbated when flexible panels are cut to shorter custom lengths. Lowered temperatures can cause stiffness and brittleness which may not allow panels to be effectively mounted or removed without damage.
The modular rail cover panel for a firearm disclosed and claimed herein is intended to overcome one or more of the problems discussed above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of treating subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) using a fiberoptic probe to introduce laser energy transsclerally to obliterate the SRNV complex without damaging the sclera or retina.

This invention relates to a method of performing laser ophthamological surgery, more specifically to a technique for treating subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) with transscleral laser therapy.
The human eyeball is shown generally at 1 in FIG. 1. Subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) 6 is a growth of new blood vessels underneath the retina 3 and above the choroid 4 (See FIGS. 1 and 2). New blood vessels originating in the inner layer of choroid 4 develop between the choroid 4 and retina 3 with capillaries eventually invading retina 3 causing macular changes, degeneration, myopia, and eventually vision loss. New blood vessels growing between the pigment area of retina 3 and the sensory area of the retina 3 can hemorrhage leading to development of fibrous tissue in the retina resulting in visual impairment and even blindness. Serous exudate and fibrosis can also lead to the formation of a scar, degeneration of the retinal photoreceptors, and atrophy of the nearby retina 3 and choroid 4.
The exact reason for the vascular proliferation is unknown. Experiments have shown that the new vessels extend by proliferation of endothelial cells and pericytes, along with macrophages and actively proliferating epithelial cells.
To date there is no known pharmacological means for inhibiting or retarding the vessel proliferation. Traditional laser photocoagulation has been shown to be effective in selected cases of vasoproliferation. Argon and krypton laser photocoagulation has been most effective with most reported radomized trials using the argon blue/green laser. Krypton red lasers are also widely available, however, krypton red cannot penetrate intraretinal hemorrhage without producing inner retinal damage.
The object of photocoagulation is to use laser energy to obliterate the neovascular complex. Generally, intense photo coagulation is extended at least 100 microns beyond the parameter of the neovascular complex if the complex is more than 300 microns from the center of the retina. Once neovascularization starts, the entire membrane must be effectively photocoagulated because partial coagulation stimulates proliferation of additional blood vessels.
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate prior art techniques for performing photocoagulation. FIG. 3 illustrates a laser delivery system mounted on a slit lamp, known in the art, shown generally at 11. The laser energy generator 13 is connected to laser L via fiber optic cables 14 at laser input 15. FIG. 4 illustrates the device of FIG. 3 in use. A surgeon S seated at slit lamp 11 with a laser L is mounted on slit lamp 11 and patient P is opposite surgeon S. Surgeon S visualizes the treatment area through the slit lamp 11, activates laser L and laser energy E is delivered through the air (non-contact) and into the patient's eye. According to FIG. 5, the energy beam E travels through cornea 16 at lens 18 to the subretinal neovascularization complex 6. Laser beam E must go through retina 3 to reach the subretinal neovascular complex 6. This risks severe damage to the retina, i.e., iatrogenic loss of vision.

Transscleral laser treatment of subretinal neovascularization


A spinning-reel line-guiding apparatus that prevents fishing line snarl on a bail arm is provided. A spinning reel bail arm 7 has first and second bail-support members, a stationary shaft 10, a stationary-shaft cover 11, a line roller 12, and a bail 13. The stationary shaft cover 11 is provided on a projecting end of the stationary shaft 10 and spaced from the first bail-support member. An apex 11a of the stationary-shaft cover 11 is situated in a spinning-reel rear direction and outward in a diametrical direction of a spool. The bail 13 is plug-fastened into the second bail-support member and the apex 11a of the stationary shaft cover 11. The bail 13 is joined smoothly with a first ridgeline 11b on the fishing-line guiding side of the stationary shaft cover 11, and a second ridgeline 11c that opposes the first ridgeline 11b in flanking the apex 11a.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fishing-line guiding apparatuses. More specifically, the present invention relates to fishing-line guiding apparatuses fitted pivotally to fore-ends of first and second rotor arms of a spinning-reel for guiding fishing line onto a spool.
2. Background Information
Spinning-reel rotors are usually equipped with a bail arm for guiding fishing line onto the spool. The bail arm is one example of a fishing-line guiding apparatus. The bail arm is mounted on fore-ends of first and second arms of a rotor, and pivots between a line-releasing posture and a line-retrieving posture. The bail arm has first and second bail-support members, a stationary shaft, a stationary shaft cover, a line roller, and a bail. The bail is mounted on the fore-ends of the first and second rotor arms. Each arm is configured to pivot. The stationary shaft is a rod, one end of which is fixed to the first bail-support member. The stationary shaft cover is a cap provided on the other end of the stationary shaft and spaced at a interval from the first bail-support member. The line roller is made of metal and is rotatably attached to the stationary shaft. The outer periphery of the roller guides the fishing line. The bail is made of metal wire, and is provided to extend between the second bail-support member and the stationary shaft cover.
To design lightweight rotors, first and second bail-support members of the bail arms made with synthetic resin such as nylon 66 strengthened with, e.g., fiberglass are known.
The bail arm is flipped into the line-releasing posture to reel fishing line out from the spool. When the bail arm is restored into the line-retrieving posture, the fishing line passes over the stationary shaft cover and is guided by the line roller. The fishing line contacts and rubs on the bail. Further, the fishing line is guided onto the spool.
Japanese Laid-Open Pat. App. Pub. No. 10-117644 discloses a bail arm that has a stationary shaft cover with a rounded conical shape in order to guide fishing line smoothly onto the line roller. The bail and stationary shaft cover of this bail arm are configured such that the distance between where the fishing-line on the guide side contacts the part of the bail and the stationary shaft cover on the line-roller side, and where the fishing-line contacts the spool becomes accordingly shorter in a direction from the bail to the line roller. To realize this, the stationary shaft cover is made into a triangular conic shape whose apex is off-centered so as to point in a reel rear direction and outward in a diametrical direction of the spool. Further, in order to conceal the apex of the stationary shaft cover, the bail is inserted in the vicinity of the apex into a ridgeline on the fishing-line guide side, and is joined smoothly with the ridgeline.
When the foregoing conventional bail arm guides fishing line from the bail to the line roller, the bail arm usually guides the fishing line smoothly and line snarl is unlikely to occur. Nevertheless, due to such factors as line-slack, the fishing line can wrap over the side of the bail opposite the side that the fishing line contacts when guided. When the fishing line shifts from the bail to the stationary shaft cover, it is liable to snag on the projecting apical part of the stationary shaft cover.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a spinning-wheel line guiding apparatus that overcomes the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
An object of the present invention is to prevent fishing line snarl on the bail arm, even if the fishing line slackens and wraps over the side opposite the line-guiding side.
A spinning-reel fishing-line guiding apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention is mounted on fore-ends of first and second rotor arms. The apparatus pivots between a line-releasing posture and a line-retrieving posture, and guides fishing line onto the spinning-reel spool. The apparatus has first and second bail-support members, a stationary shaft, a stationary shaft cover, and a bail. The first and second bail-support members are mounted pivotally on respective fore-ends of the first and second rotor arms. The stationary shaft is a rod that projects from the first bail-support member. The stationary shaft cover is provided on the projecting end of the stationary shaft. The stationary shaft cover is spaced from the first bail-support member. Using the axial center of the stationary shaft a reference, the stationary shaft cover has an approximately round cone shape whose apex is situated rearward of the spinning reel and diametrically outward of the spool when the bail arm is in a line retrieving posture. The line roller is rotatably attached to the stationary shaft. The bail is inserted and fastened at either end into the second bail-support member and the apex of the stationary shaft cover. The bail is joined smoothly with a first ridgeline on the fishing-line guiding side of the stationary shaft cover and a second ridgeline opposing the first ridgeline in flanking the apex.
The fishing-line guiding apparatus is pivoted into the line-releasing posture to facilitate casting. It is flipped over from the line-releasing posture into the line-guiding posture when the terminal tackle lands on the water surface after casting. Then, when the rotor is rotated, fishing line on the fishing-line guiding end is guided from the bail over the stationary shaft cover onto the line roller. Changing direction on the line roller, the fishing line, is then wound onto an outer periphery of the spool. Further, when the fishing-line guiding apparatus is flipped into the line-retrieving posture, slack in the fishing line can arise due to the impact of winds, etc. causing the fishing line to wrap over the side of the bail opposite the fishing-line guiding side.
Since the wire-fabricated bail is fixed in the apex of the roughly round-conical stationary shaft cover and the bail is joined smoothly into the first ridgeline on the fishing-line guiding side, snagging areas on the fishing-line guiding side are eliminated. Thus, when the fishing line is guided on the fishing-line guiding side from the bail to the stationary shaft cover, the fishing line is not liable to snag in the border area between the bail and the stationary shaft cover. Further, if the fishing line were to wrap over the side of the bail opposite the fishing-line guiding side, the bail is fitted into the apex of the stationary shaft cover and is joined smoothly to the second ridgeline on the side opposite the fishing-line guiding side. Thus, snagging areas on the side opposite the fishing-line guiding side are eliminated, and the fishing line is not liable to snag in the border area. Therefore, even if slackened fishing line wraps over onto the side opposite the fishing-line guiding side, it is not apt to snarl on the bail arm. Moreover, since the bail is made of wire, it may be made at a finer diameter compared to bails made of pipe. Even fine wet fishing line is not liable get stuck on the bail, nor is the fishing line apt to become snarled by the bail arm.
A spinning-reel fishing-line guiding apparatus in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention is the apparatus of the first aspect further having a mounting hole. The mounting hole is formed in the apex of the stationary shaft cover. A rim of the mounting hole is formed on a peripheral surface of the first ridgeline on the stationary shaft cover. The rim of the mounting hole is skewed to constitute an arcuate portion of an ellipse. When the fishing line shifts from the bail to the stationary shaft cover and contacts both the bail and the stationary shaft cover in the skewed rim area, the fishing line rides over onto the first ridgeline on the stationary shaft cover because the rim of the mounting hole is elliptical and formed at a slant. Therefore, the fishing line rides smoothly over from the bail to the stationary shaft cover and is guided smoothly onto the stationary shaft cover.
A spinning-reel fishing-line guiding apparatus in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention is the apparatus of the second aspect, wherein the ellipse is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane intersecting the center axis of the bail mounted in the stationary shaft cover. In this case, the fishing line is guided smoothly in the elliptical inclined area.
A spinning-reel fishing-line guiding apparatus in accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus of the third aspect, wherein the ellipse in length along its major axis, which is toward the first-ridgeline, is two times or less the bail in diameter. In this case, even if fishing line that has gotten snagged on the side opposite the fishing-line guiding side exerts a strong force on the bail toward its fishing-line guiding side, the bail is prevented from bending toward the fishing-line guiding side.
A spinning-reel fishing-line guiding apparatus in accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus of any of the previously mentioned aspects, wherein the stationary shaft and the stationary shaft cover are integrally formed and made of metal. Since, the number of parts, assembling steps, and processing steps may be curtailed, manufacturing costs can be reduced.
These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.


Disclosed is a new single handle post hole digger for excavating a constant diameter shaft in the ground for setting fence posts and the like. The single handle post hole digger comprises a stationary arcuate shovel blade pivotally connected to a movable arcuate shovel blade. The movable blade has an earth piercing position wherein the movable blade lies parallel to the stationary blade such that the extended arcs of the blades describe a cylinder. The movable blade also has an earth removing position wherein the lower edge of the movable blade is angled inwardly toward the stationary blade to define a scoop. An elongated gripping handle extends longitudinally from the blades. Blade control is accomplished with an actuator lever, pivotally mounted on the gripping handle, connected to the movable shovel blade by a control rod. Moving the lever in one direction positions the movable blade for earth piercing whereas moving the lever in the other direction positions the movable blade for earth removing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to post hole diggers and more particularly pertains to a single handle post hole digger which may be adapted for excavating a constant diameter shaft in the ground for setting fence posts and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of post hole diggers is known in the prior art. More specifically, post hole diggers heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of forming a hole in the ground for setting posts are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
The present invention is directed to improving devices for forming a hole in the ground for setting posts in a manner which is safe, secure, economical and aesthetically pleasing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,534 to Crenshaw et al. describes a take-apart post hole digging tool. The device disclosed, while providing a way to form a constant diameter shaft, is useful only in soil types that can be made to stick to the blade by wetting. This invention does not include a way to grip the soil being removed from the hole.
The prior art also discloses post hole diggers as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,331 to Burnham, U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,270 to Weiland, and U.S. Patent Des. No. 311,853 to Stormsgaard. A shovel-like, digging, scooping and transporting apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,211 to Gabriel. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a single handle post hole digger for excavating a constant diameter shaft in the ground for setting fence posts and the like.
In this respect, the single handle post hole digger according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of excavating a constant diameter shaft in the ground for setting fence posts and the like.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new single handle post hole digger which can be used for excavating a constant diameter shaft in the ground for setting fence posts and the like. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
As illustrated by the background art, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to develop devices for forming a hole in the ground for setting posts. No prior effort, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed and claimed herein.
The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials.


The invention provides a method for preparing polyhalide resin disinfectants. The step of the method involves circulating an effective amount of a polyhalide salt carrier solution between an effective amount of elemental halide and a strong base anion exchange resin until substantially all of the resin is converted to the polyhalide form. The elemental halide and the resin are separately disposed but connected so that the polyhalide salt carrier solution can be recirculated until all of the elemental halide is transferred to the resin. The method of the invention can be used to form a tri-iodide or penta-iodide resin, or mixed form of the resin including IBr.sub.2.sup.-/I.sub.2.sup.-.

Disinfectants can be defined as chemical agents that kill pathogenic organisms on inanimate objects. Disinfection is directed against viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic parasites, such as Giardia. Traditional disinfectants act in dilute solution by diverse mechanisms to kill microorganisms. When applied to drinking water, traditional disinfectants are undesirable because they generally leave rather high residual concentrations of the disinfectant in the water. Typical disinfectants include chlorine gas, aqueous iodine, aqueous silver nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, phenol, ethanol, and benzalkonium chloride.
Solid phase disinfectants are available that require that the pathogenic microorganisms contact a biocidal surface. Some of these disinfectants act without any measurable release of a chemical agent and are known as "contact disinfectants". Others contain traditional disinfecting agents in slow release formulations and are known as "constant release disinfectants". Finally, some solid phase disinfectants release a toxic dose of disinfectant to microorganisms upon contact, leaving very little residual disinfectant in the solution in the absence of any microorganisms and are called "demand release disinfectants".
Well known demand release type disinfectants include polyiodide resins. Polyiodide resins inactivate a wide variety of microorganisms including Giardia cysts leaving a very small residual amount of iodine in the treated solution. These types of resins are very stable and have been used in portable water purifiers, home water purifiers, and by the U.S. Space Program. G. L. Marchin et al., "Contact and Demand Release Disinfectants" in C.R.C. Critical Reviews in Environmental Control, 19:227 (1989).
Known methods for preparing polyiodide resins are not readily adapted to industrial scale production. For example, batch methods involving stirring the resin beads for 24 hours with a solution of I.sub.3.sup.- are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,860 and 3,923,665. The I.sub.3.sup.- solution is formed by mixing elemental iodine with potassium iodide. These batch methods are not suitable for industrial use because of the difficulty of mixing large scale amounts of elemental iodine with potassium iodide without causing iodine recrystallization and because they require excessive amounts of reagents. Improper preparation of resin in this manner can produce a high polyiodide residual in the treated effluent and result in incrustation of elemental iodine within the resin bed.
A method for producing polyiodide resins using a fluidized bed system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,477. In this method, water free of halide ions is used as a carrier to apply elemental iodine gradually and uniformly to the resin. However, this process would require a very large expenditure on capital equipment, and would be quite expensive to operate. First of all, to obtain processing times which are less than several days running time, temperatures close to the boiling point of the water solution are required. Consequently, pressure vessels are required which could handle the large pressures which would develop should the temperature go a bit too high. In addition, corrosion resistant materials such as glass and Teflon are required to offset the caustic effects of the hot iodine solution. Such elevated temperatures will also cause a partial pressure of I.sub.2 vapor, which is potentially hazardous. As a result, the cost of capital equipment involved in such a process would be prohibitively large. Furthermore, heating and maintaining a constant temperature throughout the system to avoid precipitation of iodine on any of the surfaces contacted by the solution for such long processing times would be extremely expensive in a large-scale system.
Thus, there is a need to develop a method for producing a polyhalide resin disinfectant that is less prone to safety-related problems, is more cost efficient, and is easier to manufacture on an industrial scale.

Method for preparing polyhalide resin disinfectants


A hollow carrier in the shape of any object, such as a jack-o'-lantern, a skull or the like, is provided with a handle, a pair of eye openings in a face, and separate lights behind each of the eye openings, which lights, when activated by a switch connected between the separate lights and a power source, shine separate beams of light from each of the eye openings.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to containers, and, more particularly, to an improved carrier for use by children or the like to carry items, and which carrier includes flashlight-type eyes.
2. Description of Related Art
There are many known prior art containers used by children and others to collect and carry items at certain times of the year, or at special functions. In particular, children carry baskets at Easter, or bags, jack-o'-lanterns or similar containers at Halloween, as well as at birthday parties, Christmas and similar events to hold candy, gifts, or treats.
For example, as Halloween has become more and more popular, children or adults go "trick or treating" carrying some type of a container, and in many cases, also carrying flashlights or similar devices to aid them in seeing and being seen. However, for many reasons, the carrying of a separate flashlight by a child has not proven successful. Therefore, attempts have been made to facilitate the child's carrying or wearing some type of lighting or safety means. One such known carrier is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,071 to Schuster, which shows a battery powered lantern in the shape of a jack-o'-lantern, used by a child to collect Halloween treats, and which has a single illuminating means inside, to light the lantern internally.
Another prior art device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,296 to Blume et al, which discloses an illuminated flexible bag for transporting articles by an individual. The bag includes a power source which energizes a number of light bulbs which are mounted adjacent to transparent portions of the bag, and light from the light bulbs shines through the transparent portion for safety and decorative purposes. However, the light is not directed through the transparent portions.
Other typical prior art carriers, flashlights and lighting means are set forth in the following listed U.S. Patents:
______________________________________ 4,149,224 to King et al 4,955,807 to Chance et al 5,016,145 to Singleton 5,091,833 to Paniaguas et al 5,264,996 to Bele, Jr. et al 5,359,506 to Koleno 5,422,799 to Morrison, Sr. ______________________________________
Although these prior art carriers and lighting means provide children and others with some safety at night, they do not meet today's ever increasing safety requirements of parents for their children, nor are they useful in substantially all situations by most children. Therefore, there still exists the need in the art for a simple to manufacture and use carrier having directed lighting means therein, which may be safely used by substantially any child, at any festive occasion, and which offers both increased safety and enjoyment for the child.

Ornamental carrier with flashlight-type eyes


A kite based electricity generation system uses a kite that is tethered to a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is slidably disposed within a housing with an electric coil disposed therein, such that sliding of the magnet within the housing slides the magnet within the coil and generates electricity. As the kite is subject to a wind load, the kite pulls the magnet through the coil toward a top of the housing. When the wind load decreases, a spring biases the magnet in a reverse direction, each time the magnet sliding within the coil and generating electricity. The housing pivots with respect to a base to which the housing is attached and may also rotate with respect to the base, such pivoting and rotation may generate additional electricity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical generator that relies on changes of altitude and direction of an aloft kite for passing a permanent magnet through a coil to generate electricity.
2. Background of the Prior Art
As the world tries to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels for its energy needs, various renewable energy sources are being investigated. Such renewable sources include solar power, wind power, hydrodynamic power, and geothermal capture, each with its own benefits of implementation and hurdles to overcome. These renewable sources, and others yet to be explored, have an aim of converting the power source to electricity and using the electricity to power the various implements used by humans, either directly, such as the running of a factory or the lighting, heating and cooling of a modern house, or indirectly wherein the electricity is transferred to an energy store, such as a battery, and thereafter having an implement, such as an electric vehicle, draw its energy requirements from the energy store. Substantial research and development resources are being invested in such renewable energy sources.
One of the renewable energy sources, wind power, has been used for hundreds of years for energy production. From blowing sailing ships across the oceans to turning wind mills that are used to mill grains and pump water, the immense power of the wind has long been appreciated. Recently, the wind has been harvested for the production of electricity. Typically, large wind turbines are installed in an area that is prone to prolonged periods of strong winds in order to extract energy from the wind. As the wind blows onto the vanes of the wind turbine, the turbine rotates causing a permanent magnet to rotate within a coil, thereby creating electricity. Although large amounts of electricity can be generated by wind mills, certain shortcomings are noted.
Wind turbines are large structures, typically on the order of between about 130 feet to about 300 feet, with the larger turbines producing more energy. Such large structures tend to be unsightly, even from a distance, especially, when clustered in a turbine farm, so that most wind turbine farms are located in remote areas away from population centers. Wind turbines are statically placed, so that once installed, the wind turbine is a permanent fixture at its point of installation. If the turbine is installed in a population center, as some are, the device cannot be removed during periods of non-economic wind loading on the wind turbine. Such permanency of installation is also an issue in cold climates as wind turbines have low temperature operating limits, such limits often being about −20 degrees Celsius, below which the wind turbines need to be protected from ice accumulation, which ice accumulations can cause inaccurate anemometer readings which can result in high structural loads on the wind turbine and damage thereto. As the wind turbine is permanently installed, the turbine has internal heating to prevent such ice accumulations. If the wind turbine is operating below its low temperature limits and is under low wind loading, external power must be supplied to the turbine in order to operate the internal heating systems to protect the turbine, which external energy reduces the overall efficiency of the turbine.
In addressing some of the shortcomings of the use of wind turbines to harvest wind energy, many researchers are turning to the use of kites for the capture of the wind energy. Unlike a wind turbine, which depends on the wind to rotate the turbine, most kite electrical generator systems depend on the flight path of the kite to harvest the wind energy. Typically, as the kite oscillates either altitudinally or laterally, or some combination thereof, a tether attached to the kite spools and unspools which spooling and unspooling causes a permanent magnet to rotate within a coil to produce energy. Some systems use a pair of kites connected by a tether pulled across a pulley to which the permanent magnet is connected, wherein each kite takes turns pulling on the other kite so as to turn the pulley and thus generate electricity.
These and other kite systems benefit from the fact that the aloft portion of the system is not permanently affixed in that the kite can be refracted as needed, either due to wind, weather, or other conditions. Additionally, kite systems tend to be more pleasing on the eyes relative to wind turbine systems so that there tends to be less resistance to deploying such systems in and near population centers. Small kite systems can be based on a mobile platform and delivered to an area that has short term electrical needs, such as a natural disaster area wherein the power grid has been compromised. However, the current systems still have shortcomings that need to be addressed. Spooling kite systems tend to be complex in design so that such systems are relatively expensive to produce and tend to have high maintenance costs both in man-hours needed to maintain such systems and the non-energy producing down time experienced as a result of the need for maintenance. Dual kite wind-unwind systems also tend to be complex in design and have the added shortcoming of requiring the two kites to work in tandem for proper working and efficiency, which also adds to the complexity of the overall control system and which is not always achievable. This tends to reduce the energy harvesting efficiency of the system.
What is needed is a kite-based electricity generating system that addresses the above stated shortcomings found in the art. Specifically, such a kite system must be of relatively simple design and construction so as to be relatively inexpensive to build and maintain, thereby decreasing the service costs of the system and maximizing the in service time of the system. Such a kite system must not be dependent on two or more kites working in tandem for electrical generation so as to decrease the complexity of the control systems needed by the kite system.


An electronic lock may be used to monitor and control access throughout a home. The electronic lock is preferably mounted to a main enter/exit door on the home as this provides a good point of contact for users entering and leaving the home. The electronic lock may monitor users, appliances, safety, and operation of interior doors. Access may be controlled and/or monitored by users with a mobile device or through any other similar device.

Door locks are commonly installed in residential and commercial settings. There are many different types of door locks used throughout the residential and commercial settings as well. It is common to have at least one Deadbolt installed on the front door. Interior doors may have deadbolts and/or other types of locks installed.
Door locks are already routinely used to simply lock a door. As technology progresses, there has been a growing trend to improve door locks by adding electronics thereby allowing a user to locally or remotely operate and monitor the lock thereby creating what has been dubbed "smart" locks.
When designing and manufacturing smart locks housings or chassis are often required to house the electronics. As technology progresses, the electronic components are shrunk in size and chassis and housings are capable of holding more and more electronics, thereby having increased capacity in the same or smaller volumes.
What is therefore needed is an improved smart lock that does more than simply lock and unlock a door. What is needed is a smart lock that has added integrated features that may or may not be related to the operation of the lock. For example, the smart lock may include various electronic components/devices allowing it to keep track of occupancy, status of the dwelling, status of the environment, and particular needs of the user. This information may be communicated to the user via displays on the lock, mobile App, smart home system or other means. Finally, what is needed is a smart lock capable of performing a multitude of tasks thereby functioning as a personal assistant to the user.