An aluminum nitride ceramic having desired properties suitable for electronic packaging applications can be prepared from a novel aluminum nitride powder/sintering aid mixture. The sintering aid comprises a glassy component formed from alumina, calcia and boria, and a non-vitreous component comprising an element or compound of a metal of Group IIa, IIIa, or the lanthanides, preferably crystalline oxides, reactible with the crystallized glass component and the alumina from the AlN grains. Alternatively, the sintering aid comprises a multi-component glass composition capable of forming the above components upon melting and thereafter crystallizing upon reaction.

As compared to alumina, the commercially predominant electronic ceramic, aluminum nitride ceramics potentially possess superior characteristics for electronic packaging applications with respect to electronic insulation, high thermal conductivity (above 120 W/m-K), thermal expansion match to silicon devices, and low dielectric constant. Aluminum nitride substrates are potentially useful where high heat dissipation is required in a microelectronic package, such as in a multilayer metal-ceramic package for high power devices. Aluminum nitride ceramics for microelectronic applications must therefore be capable of accommodating metallized components, polymeric layers and heat generating, high power electronic devices.
Prepared from aluminum nitride powders, in order to achieve suitable properties the ceramic must achieve a certain density, at least about 90%, preferably greater than or equal to about 95%, of theoretical. Aluminum nitride with no sintering additives decomposes below the temperature required to sinter it to maximum density. However, densification can be achieved at lower temperatures by the use of sintering aids.
Sintering aids liquify at temperatures below the decomposition and pure compound sintering temperatures for the ceramic, and promote densification of the ceramic grains by i) a particle rearrangement process mediated by capillary forces between the wetting liquid and the solid particles, and thereafter, ii) a dissolution and precipitation process. In this process, solid is preferentially dissolved at regions of high curvature (small particles) and redeposited at regions of low curvature (large particles). In addition, solid is preferentially dissolved at regions of solid-solid contact and redeposited away from the contact areas. At the later stages of the liquid sintering cycle, microstructure is refined via grain growth and coalescence processes.
Different combinations of sintering aids provide various compounds in situ which melt at different temperatures. The temperatures at which sintering occurs has an effect on the progress of the different types of sintering processes, and thus the microstructure and the final properties of the sintered ceramic body. Sintering aids also function to increase thermal conductivity of the sintered aluminum nitride body by gettering oxygen from the aluminum nitride powder. Thus, an effective sintering additive must form a liquid at low temperature capable of dissolving and reprecipitating aluminum nitride without oxidation of the aluminum nitride. Not every liquid at sintering temperature will be able to getter oxygen and densify the ceramic.
All commercially available aluminum nitride powders contain oxygen as an impurity. This oxygen primarily takes two forms in the powder, as an alumina coating on each of the powder particles, and as dissolved oxygen impurity within the crystalline lattice of the aluminum nitride particles. A minor amount will be tied up as an oxide of any metal impurities which may be present. At a given sintering temperature, only a certain amount of oxygen, primarily from surface alumina and secondarily from other sources, will be available for reaction (hereinafter "available oxygen").
Upon densification, the volume of the green body, and for multilayer structures the volume of the metal lamina contained in the green body, together with the linear dimensions of the body, decrease as a function of both the temperature experienced and the particular material involved. If the metal and ceramic shrink at different times and rates, this shrinkage mismatch leads to residual stresses between the different constituent materials in the sintered body and distorts the final shape of the body. In order to maintain the exacting geometric tolerances required by the electronic packaging industry for multilayer ceramic based packages, it is necessary that the ceramic and the metal sinter at approximately the same rate.
Thus it is desirable to facilitate efficient sintering of aluminum nitride at particularly low temperatures to mediate the problems associated with different sintering rates and thermal expansion mismatches between the ceramic and metal portions of a multilayer electronic package.
The use of lower sintering temperatures by the art, however, has generally resulted in properties degrading from the desired theoretical levels. This may result from the failure of the sintering aids to either form an effective sintering liquid needed to densify the ceramic or to remove dissolved oxygen from the AlN lattice, and/or from the formation of an additional phase or additional phases within the AlN structure which comprise reaction products of the sintering aid(s), aluminum and oxygen.
Sintering aids for AlN which have been disclosed in the art include Group IIa, Group IIIa, and/or rare earth compounds, including calcia and yttria, among others. Resulting AlN sintered bodies are disclosed to contain alkaline earth-aluminates, Group IIIa-aluminates, rare earth-aluminates, and AlON.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,592 discloses the use of sintering aids for aluminum nitride which are at least one metal element selected from alkaline earth metals, lanthanum group metals and yttrium or a compound thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,637 discloses sintering aluminum nitride powder in mixture with a rare earth compound and an alkaline earth metal compound. U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,245 discloses sintering aluminum nitride using as sintering aids at least one metal or compound of a Group IIa metal such as Ca and at least one metal or compound of a Group IIIa metal such as Y and rare earth compounds. Mixed oxides of Group IIa/IIIa metals and alumina were identified in aluminum nitride sintered with these sintered aids. In Sainz De Baranda, Pedro, "The Effect of Calcia and Silica on the Thermal Conductivity of Aluminum Nitride Ceramics", a doctoral dissertation, Rutgers University, (Vol. 52/07-B of Dissertation Abstracts International, p 3846.), two ternary oxide second phase compounds were identified in aluminum nitride bodies sintered using yttria and calcia (calcium nitrate) sintering aids, namely CaYAlO.sub.5 and CaYAl.sub.3 O.sub.7.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,983 discloses a method to sinter a plurality of AlN plates containing oxides of aluminum, rare earth, and Group IIIa metal elements superposed on a ceramic support base with a ceramic powder interposed between the base and the plate and between the plates.
Japanese Kokai J02-275,769 discloses additions of aluminum, calcia and boria to aluminum nitride powder, followed by sintering at 1400-2000 degrees Centigrade. However, to achieve a fully dense body having a thermal conductivity of 192 W/m-K, the compositions were sintered at 1800 degrees Centigrade for 4 hours.
Japanese Kokai J62-176,961 discloses additions of alumina, calcia and boria (as well as others) to aluminum nitride to achieve a sintered body with improved density and thermal conductivity. Boria, however, melts at about 450 degrees Centigrade which presents difficulties in electronic packaging applications. For example, it is necessary to remove substantially all residual carbon from substrates that are used in electronic applications. The low melting boria hinders this so-called binder burnoff process.
Japanese Kokai J03-218,977 discloses the addition of 0.1-10 weight percent of a glass powder sintering aid to the aluminum nitride powder prior to sintering. The glass powder consists of 0-38 mole % alumina, 30-80 mole % boria and 20-56 mole % calcia. In weight percent, it is 0-28 weight % alumina, 27-77 weight % boria and 23-64 weight % calcia. The aluminum nitride body is sintered at a temperature greater than 1650 degrees Centigrade which is undesirably high. The resulting aluminum nitride samples have a maximum thermal conductivity of 110 W/m-K which, while better than alumina, is considerably less than pure aluminum nitride. Further, the majority of samples had a thermal conductivity of 100 W/m-K or less.
It is an object of the present invention to produce an aluminum nitride body that is fully dense and highly thermally conductive by sintering at a lower sintering temperature than has heretofore been feasible and which will allow the production of the aluminum nitride body at a reduced cost.
It is another object of the present invention to produce an aluminum nitride body that is fully dense and highly thermally conductive, by sintering at a temperature which is compatible with metal-ceramic laminate processing.
These and other purposes of the present invention will become more apparent after referring to the following detailed description of the invention.

Low temperature sintering route for aluminum nitride ceramics


A multi-mode controller applied to a power converter includes a detection range generation module and a gate signal generation unit. The detection range generation module is used for generating a comparison voltage according to a reference current, and generating a detection signal according to the comparison voltage and a first reference voltage. When the detection signal is disabled by a zero-crossing signal, the gate signal generation unit generates a gate control signal corresponding to a quasi-resonant mode of the power converter according to the zero-crossing signal; and when the detection signal is disabled by a continuous-conduction mode signal generated by the detection range generation module according to the comparison voltage and a second reference voltage, the gate signal generation unit generates the gate control signal corresponding to a continuous-conduction mode of the power converter according to the continuous-conduction mode signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-mode controller applied to a power converter and an operation method thereof, and particularly to a multi-mode controller and an operation method thereof that can control a power converter to switch between a quasi-resonant mode and a continuous-conduction mode through a soft-switching method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When a load coupled to a secondary side of a power converter is changed, a controller applied to the power converter can control the power converter to switch between a quasi-resonant mode and a continuous-conduction mode, wherein the controller controls the power converter to switch between the quasi-resonant mode and the continuous-conduction mode according to a compensation voltage through a hard-switching method, and the compensation voltage corresponds to the load coupled to the secondary side of the power converter. However, because the controller utilizes the hard-switching method to make the power converter switch between the quasi-resonant mode and the continuous-conduction mode, the hard-switching method may make an operation frequency of the power converter be significantly changed, resulting in the power converter having greater switching loss and noise, and generating audio.

Multi-mode controller of a power converter switched by zero-crossing signal and continuous-conduction mode signal and operation method thereof


An optical device is provided. The optical device comprises a light converting member arranged to at least party convert incoming light of a first wavelength into light of a second wavelength, to emit light of the second wavelength, and to reflect at least a part of the light of the first wavelength; and a light guide comprising a light entrance and a light exit, the light guide being arranged to guide incoming light of the first wavelength from the light entrance to the light converting member and to guide light emitted and/or reflected from the light converting member to the light exit. The light converting member and the light exit are at opposite surfaces of the light guide. The light converting member and the light exit are arranged along a main optical axis of the light guide, and the light entrance is arranged at a geometrical envelope surface surrounding the main optical axis of the light guide.

Illumination systems for generating high brightness illumination are interesting for various applications including spots, stage-lighting, headlamps and digital light projection.
High brightness light with a desirable spectral distribution may be obtained by a system 1, see FIG. 1, using a bright light source 10 such as a light emitting diode, LED, or a laser where a high intensity light beam of a first wavelength 15 (e.g. blue light) emitted by the light source is directed towards an optical device comprising a light converting member 20 placed on a static heat sink 30. A dichroic reflector 40 is arranged to selectively reflect the light of the first wavelength 15 towards the optical device. Hence, the light converting member 20 is illuminated with a focused beam of light of the first wavelength 15. Light of the first wavelength 15 is partially converted to light of a second wavelength 25 (e.g. yellow light) by the light converting member 20. White light is obtained when light of the first and second wavelengths are mixed.
In such a setup, in order to achieve good heat dissipation from a phosphor light converting member combined with a high luminous efficiency, US20140166902A1 discloses a wavelength conversion body comprising a light guide body being monolithically connected to the phosphor body. Extending such construction for further improvement of heat dissipation, US20050270775A1 discloses a system, in so far similar to the one shown in FIG. 1, spatially separating the light source from the phosphor by a color separation element, as e.g. dichroic reflector 40 of FIG. 1, for prohibiting converted light returning to the light source.
However, such dichroic reflector 40 reduces the intensity of the first light wavelength 15 emitted by the system. Moreover, the dichroic reflector also affects the color of the combined light. Furthermore, in the arrangement the lens 35 used for focusing and collecting the converted light 25 is not efficient enough to collect all the emitted light.

Optical device for producing high brightness light


Certain substituted 1,8-naphthyridines and 1,5,8-azanaphthyridines are useful for treating allergic reactions in mammals. Certain of the compounds may also be utilized to treat chronic obstructive lung diseases in mammals.. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods for their use are also described.

Japanese patent public disclosure (Kokai) No. 116495/77, Sept. 29, 1977 discloses various naphthyridine derivatives which allegedly possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, central nervous system depressant and diuretic effects. There is no indication that the compounds disclosed in the Japanese publication have activity against chronic obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and the like or that these compounds would be useful for treating allergic reactions.

Method for treating allergic reactions and compositions therefore


A method of strengthening a wall includes the steps of preparing a portion of a surface of a wall to be strengthened by cleaning the surface, providing a plurality of straps of flexible nonmetallic fiber composite material, and fixedly attaching the straps of nonmetallic fiber composite material to the wall portion along at least lengthwise portions of the straps and opposite end portions thereof by epoxy bonding the straps onto the surface. Also, the straps are impregnated with the epoxy in preparation for bonding the strap to the wall surface. Also, edge portions of the straps are fastened to an adjacent structure which supports the wall being strengthened so as to facilitate transfer of loads from the wall to the adjacent structure. Another method of strengthening a wall includes the steps of providing a mixture of randomly-oriented short fibers and liquid resin or adhesive matrix and applying the mixture to the surface of the wall. The mixture can be applied either by spraying or troweling the mixture onto the surface of the wall. The liquid resin or adhesive matrix is a material that cures fast so as to prevent the fibers from running with the liquid down the height of the wall surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to masonry and concrete wall existing and new construction and, more particularly, is concerned with a method of strengthening, by using a composite fabric strap or a mixture of high strength random fibers and epoxy or the like, the masonry and concrete walls of existing construction having inadequate or no reinforcement and the masonry and concrete walls of new construction to permit an improved design.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As known to those skilled in the art, the majority of the existing masonry structures contain little or no steel reinforcement. These structures are referred to as Unreinforced Masonry (URM) structures. These walls are typically constructed with brick, hollow clay tile, or concrete masonry blocks. In addition, there are a large number of concrete walls with insufficient amounts of steel reinforcement. The latter can be cast-in-place or constructed as pre-cast modules of reinforced concrete walls which are tied together at the construction site (e.g. tilt-up walls and pre-cast concrete walls).
When the structures containing these walls are analyzed, these deficiencies (i.e. the lack of or insufficient amounts of steel reinforcement) are often identified. The presence of these deficiencies in existing construction requires that the walls be externally reinforced. Such is the case in seismic regions of the world, where a large number of these walls require strengthening.
Furthermore, in many frame structures, partition walls are used for division of the floor space. This type of construction is referred to as infill frame construction. Various types of solid or hollow bricks are placed within the plane of the frames to form a wall. In the event of an earthquake, these infill walls often fall apart and collapse, resulting in loss of life and property.
Yet a third category is the parapet wall around the perimeter of the roof of a building. These walls also often lack steel reinforcement and their collapse during earthquakes has been a major cause of loss of life and property.
It is therefore clear that there is a need for effective and economical techniques to strengthen these walls. Such techniques must increase the strength, stiffness, and ductility of the wall.
The methods commonly used to date for strengthening walls include the addition of a new reinforced concrete wall to one or both faces of the existing wall. The new walls include steel reinforcement which is tied to the surface(s) of the existing wall through anchor bolts. Then a layer of concrete (usually a few inches in thickness) is added or sprayed on top of the steel reinforcement. In essence, the old wall is sandwiched between the two new walls. This type of strengthening is not only time consuming, but it also results in a significant increase in the weight of the externally reinforced wall. Because the forces produced during an earthquake are proportional to the weight of the structure, this added mass results in larger forces being applied to the structure. Moreover, in many instances, the existing foundations of the structure cannot support the weight of the newly-added walls; this leads to further expenses to strengthen the foundation.
Consequently, an unfulfilled need still exists for effective and economical techniques to strengthen walls having inadequate or no reinforcement by increasing the strength, stiffness, and ductility of the walls.

Method of strengthening masonry and concrete walls with composite strap and high strength random fibers


A method and apparatus for impregnating a porous web with a chemical. The impregnating method includes applying a vacuum to one side of the web sufficient to evacuate air from the web, applying impregnating chemical into the web in a selected pattern on the same side of the web, followed by drying the web. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber for evacuating air from the web, a manifold for applying the impregnating chemical into the web located on the same side of the web as the vacuum chamber and a stencil for restricting the application of the chemical to selected areas of the web.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and process for chemically impregnating paper and other non-woven web, and is more particularly concerned with an apparatus which applies a vacuum to the web, then delivers a chemical solution to the web in a preselected pattern, to alter or to enhance the physical characteristics of the web.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Manufacturers of products made of a non-woven web, such as paper and paperboard, have long known the desirability of treating the web with a chemical to create or enhance desired features in the product. For example, in the manufacturing of containers designed to hold liquid, such as paper milk cartons, it is essential to treat the container with a chemical sealant in order to make the carton impervious to the liquid. Other web products are chemically treated to increase their stiffness or strength. In packaging for containers or bottles, such as paper containers for soda or beer, portions of the container, but not necessarily the entire container, must be strengthened. These portions include the high stress areas such as the tops and bottoms, the heel areas, and integral carrying handles and fingerholes. In other applications, it is desirable to increase the tensile strength or tear resistance at certain areas, but not at others. These include web packaging that is intended to be opened by tearing the package in a selected area.
When, for example, the areas around the fingerholes, integral handles, or corners in a paperboard carton blank need to be reinforced, it is more economical to chemically strengthen these selected areas, only, thus conserving chemicals and so reducing per unit treatment cost. In other situations, it even can be detrimental to treat the entire web. For example, in some applications the quality of stiffness may be desirable on flat surfaces, but not in areas which must be scored to form the finished product. Applying a chemical stiffener to areas prior to their being scored, might cause these areas to crack or fracture along the score-line when folded.
Web such as cloth or paperboard have been chemically treated, or impregnated, with a variety of methods and devices utilized to impregnate the web with chemicals such as dyes, bleaches, sealants, resins, and other finishing compounds. It should be understood that the term "impregnate" as used herein, refers only to the chemical treatment or application of the chemical into the web. It is not intended that the term "impregnate" imply to what degree the web is exposed to the chemical, that is, either complete saturation of the web or decorative printing or surface coating of the web. Chemical treatment of the web can be accomplished by treating the surface of the web using a gravure press, or by using blade coating, roller coating, flexographic, silk screening or stenciling methods commonly known in the printing industry. The degree of impregnation of the web fibers using these methods is usually not as pronounced as using methods which include either relatively long exposure of the web to a chemical bath, or vacuum preparation prior to chemical treatment.
In some prior art devices, the web is driven through a chamber, and the chemical, or impregnant, is delivered under Pressure to the web. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,616 the web is fed under a mandrel which is received in a saddle block to define a chamber with a geometrically convergent zone. As the web passes through the zone, the chemical saturant within the zone is forced under pressure into the web. Another device similar in design and function is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,216. U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,943 discloses chemical saturization under pressure, and also incorporates a stencil which is driven in the direction of and at the same linear speed as the web. The stencil is intended to separate selected portions of the web from a pressurized reservoir, or bath, of saturant. In this device, however, there is a possibility that unintended portions of the web could become saturated, because the stencil is exposed to the entire pressurized bath, and therefore, intimate contact of the stencil to the web is absolutely critical. This reference also discloses a device which utilizes both high and low pressure to force saturant into the web. The combination of both high and low saturant pressurization zones allows for relatively increased saturation of selected areas of the treated web. In a continuation-in-part of this reference, U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,391, the device disclosed therein also utilizes selectively aligned grooves which define even lesser pressurized saturation zones, which further reduce the amount of saturation of the web exposed to these areas. The entire web, however, is exposed to the saturant in this embodiment, when a stencil is not used. Further, the dividing line between the saturated portion and unsaturated portion of the web is abrupt. As discussed herein, the method of the present invention allows for selected degrees of impregnation and, where desirable, permits the impregnation of an area to either taper off in degree, or to end abruptly.
Other devices which deliver pressurized chemical to a web also subject the web in a prior step to a partial vacuum, in order to remove air which is held within the web. It has long been known that removing the air on the surface of and within the web allows for a higher degree of web impregnation during the treatment step. U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,137 broadly discloses the concept of subjecting the web to a partial vacuum prior to exposing the web to the chemical. U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,099 discloses an apparatus which includes a chamber divided by seals to define a low pressure preparation zone and a high pressure treatment zone. The web is subjected to the partial vacuum in the low pressure zone, and then is subjected to the pressurized saturant for the saturation of the web. The device utilizes squeeze rollers to complete an air lock to the high pressure zone, and to squeeze excess liquid from the web. The entire web is saturated in this device.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,281, a different device is employed to impart a vacuum to a web prior to impregnation. The vacuum box and impregnant box, or liquor box, are juxtaposed above the web, and the chemical or impregnant is applied through a dispensing slot, as opposed to subjecting the web to a bath. A rubber sealing belt is utilized to contain the vacuum around the web. This device, however, impregnates the entire web and does not employ any means to apply the chemical to selected areas, only.
The general concept of selective application of chemical to a web is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,223. While this reference discusses many advantages of selective application, no specific apparatus is disclosed in detail. The method disclosed utilizes a printing or screening apparatus such as a flexographic printing process, gravure printing or stenciling.
While the prior art devices discussed disclosed various methods for saturating and impregnating a web, none discloses a highly efficient device capable of subjecting the web to a partial vacuum, then impregnating the web in a preselected pattern only. The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art of both printing devices and saturating devices, and further is capable of selectively treating large quantities of web per unit time in this manner.

Method and apparatus for pattern impregnation of a porous web


A polymer sheet includes a core layer containing a propylene impact copolymer (ICP), and a first additional layer comprising a first polymer composition. The propylene impact copolymer (ICP) in the core layer includes a matrix and a dispersed phase. The matrix comprises a polypropylene homopolymer or a propylene/alpha-olefin random copolymer which includes greater than 50 wt. % of units derived from propylene monomer. The dispersed phase includes a copolymer of ethylene and a C3-C8 α-olefin. The ICP has a first melting point being greater than 100° C. (e.g., in the range of from 100° C. to 130° C.) and a second melting point. The polymer sheet can also include a second additional layer containing a second polymer composition.

Polypropylene compositions have gained wide commercial acceptance and usage in numerous applications because of the relatively low cost of the polymers and the desirable properties they exhibit. In general, polypropylene polymers, particularly propylene homopolymers, have a disadvantage of being brittle with low impact resistance, especially at low temperatures. To address these issues, manufacturers have incorporated rubber, which forms a dispersed phase within the polypropylene matrix. These two-phase materials are referred to as impact copolymers or ICPs.
While impact resistance is improved, a major drawback to such materials is the poor transparency, mostly due to the rubber particles being large enough to affect light transmission in the heterophasic system. Accordingly, several attempts have been made to improve the transparency of heterophasic polymer systems.
Some ICPs have been able to achieve clarity by refractive index matching the dispersed phase to the matrix material. Other ICPs have sought to achieve clarity by increasing dispersed phase miscibility to achieve particles which are not large enough to affect the light transmission. While these approaches may produce clear materials, they generally lack the stiffness and/or toughness of a conventional ICP. It would be desirable to have an ICP which is clear, stiff and tough, and which is not based on either technique.

Multilayered article comprising polypropylene impact copolymers, and method of making same


Provided are methods and devices for measuring real-time pressures on the perineum of a user positioned on a surface. In an embodiment the surface is a bicycle seat and the real-time measurement is a pressure map of the pressure distribution during a bicycle ride. The methods relate to connecting a pressure sensor to the perineum region of the user, positioning the user on the surface, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned between the perineum and the surface, and obtaining output from the pressure sensor while the user is positioned on the surface, such as during a bicycle ride. The devices relate to a plurality of pressure sensors capable of being connected to the perineum region and a microcontroller containing a drive circuit and chip for analog-to-digital conversion and storage. One use of the methods and devices are to assess risk of erectile dysfunction for bicycle riders.

Provided herein are various devices and methods that measure real-time perineal pressures during bicycle riding. The devices and methods are particularly useful for design of bicycle seats for comfort and to minimize risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) for a rider. Furthermore, the devices and methods can be used as a tool to assess ED risk for a rider using a specific bicycle seat, wherein the rider uses the seat under real ride conditions.
An important component of bicycles is the bicycle seat. Much work has gone into developing bicycles seats that are comfortable and perform well under different conditions ranging from the recreational to the competitive user. There has been increasing recognition that bicycle riding can be a significant risk factor for ED (see, e.g., Ben E. Benjamin "Cycling and Your Health" Massage Therapy Journal. 2004). In particular, due to the positioning of the rider and seat geometry, it is not uncommon for riders to experience discomfort in the perineal region, particularly for longer-duration rides. In fact, genital numbness due to cycling is observed and riders report impaired sexual function and increase in ED. Accordingly, numerous studies have further investigated the relationship between bicycle riding and ED.
For example, Huang et al. ("Bicycle Riding and Erectile Dysfunction: An Increase in Interest (and Concern)" J. Sex. Med. 2005:596-604) summarizes various scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals from 1981 to 2004 and concludes that "bicycle riding more than 3 hours per week was an independent relative risk . . . for moderate to severe ED." The authors of that study hypothesize that "straddling bicycle saddles with a nose extension is associated with suprasystolic perineal compression pressures, temporarily occluding penile perfusion and potentially inducing endothelial injury and vasculogenic ED."
Such a conclusion is based, at least in part, on studies using stationary bikes with sensors on the saddle that suggest bicycling may cause ED. For example, Schrader et al. (2002) used a "thin profile resistance-based pressure measurement mat . . . placed over the saddle" to measure pressure exerted between the rider and the bicycle saddle. "Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and Rigidity Testing in Bicycling Patrol Offices" J. of Andrology (2002) 23(6): 927-934. Pressure distribution maps were illustrated for a man sitting on a chair and in different positions on a bicycle saddle (normal/upright or in pursuit position). The results of that study suggested "prolonged bicycle riding may have negative effects on nocturnal erectile function and indicate a need for innovative bicycle saddle designs." A similar follow-on study of bicycle police officers assessed the effectiveness of "no-nose bicycle saddle as an ergonomic intervention" for sexual dysfunction. Schrader et al. "Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis." J. Sex. Med. (2008): 5:1932-1940 (see also Lowe et al. "Effect of Bicycle Saddle Designs on the Pressure to the Perineum of the Bicyclist." Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. (2004) 36(6): 1055-62).
Substantial effort has been directed to the impact of seat geometry on various factors related to ED. Munarriz et al. calculated a crude mean pressure exerted by subjects on their perineum when straddling a saddle (weight/surface area) and concluded that seat geometry can have a significant impact on penile hemodynamics. "Only the Nose Knows . . . " J. Sex. Med. (2005) 2:612-619. Breda et al. measured partial pressure of penile transcutaneous oxygen "to investigate the differences of compression from two different saddles on the vascular structures of the perineum." "Development of a New Geometric Bicycle Saddle for the Maintenance of Genital-Perineal Vascular Perfusion." J. Sex. Med. (2005) 2:605-611. That study suggests specific seat geometry was effective in "limiting the compression on the pelvic floor." A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health report ("No-nose Saddles for Preventing Genital Numbness and Sexual Dysfunction from Occupational Bicycling" NIOSH Pub. No. 2009-131) reports no-nose saddles are effective "in reducing pressure in the groin and improving the sexual health of male bicycle patrol police officers" and that no-nose saddles may also benefit women.
There is, however, a fundamental flaw in those studies with respect to an accurate measure of pressure exerted on the perineum. Each of those studies estimate or measure the pressure exerted by the bicycle rider on the bicycle seat. Although a force exerted by a user on a surface is matched by a corresponding force exerted by the surface on the user, relying on a measure of the force on the bicycle seat does not provide information about the force exerted by the seat on a specific region of the user, including the perineum region. In particular, studies that position the pressure sensor on the bicycle seat do not provide an accurate indication of the pressure exerted on the perineal region, and specifically on a perineal blood vessel. This is especially problematic as a bicycle rider is constantly moving with respect to the saddle so that a pressure on the seat cannot be reliably correlated with a specific region of the perineum. Instead, the pressure sensor on the bicycle seat measures pressure exerted by the rider onto the bicycle seat and, depending on how the rider is seated, non-perineal regions may exert significant pressure on the seat surface. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for systems that can reliably and accurately measure a force or a pressure on the perineum of a user positioned on a bicycle seat in order to precisely evaluate risk of ED by various bicycle seat geometries.

Device for measuring real-time pressure exerted by a support surface on a perineal artery

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


Receiving-apparatus employed in MIMO-system includes space-filtering-unit configured to separate receive-signals to signal of first-data-sequence and signal of second-data-sequence on basis of estimation result, provisional-decoding-unit configured to LDPC-decode signal of first-data-sequence and signal of second-data-sequence with check-matrices which is modified in different-forms by fundamental-row-operation from each other, to obtain provisional-likelihood-ratio for first-data-sequence and second-data-sequence, provisional-output-unit configured to output provisional-first-data-sequence and provisional-second-data-sequence on the basis of provisional-likelihood-ratio for first-data-sequence and second-data-sequence respectively, replica-signal-generation-unit configured to generate replica-signal, on basis of provisional-first-data-sequence and provisional-second-data-sequence and estimation-result of propagation-path-estimation-unit, soft-decision-outputting-unit configured to obtain receive-likelihood-values of first-data-sequence and second-data-sequence, on basis of residual-signal obtained by subtracting replica-signal from receive-signals, actual-decoding-unit configured to LDPC-decode receive-likelihood-values, by using the check-matrices, to obtain likelihood-ratio of first-data-sequence and likelihood-ratio of second-data-sequence, and actual-output-unit configured to obtain first-data-sequence and second-data-sequence on the basis of likelihood-ratio of first-data-sequence generated by the actual-decoding-unit and likelihood-ratio of second-data-sequence to hard-decision.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a receiving apparatus and demodulating method used in a Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) system is configured to receive a transmit signal which is transmitted with the same frequency at the same time from a plurality of transmitting apparatuses, by a receiving apparatus having a plurality of antennas. As methods of separating signals transmitted from the respective transmitting apparatuses from the receive signals, in this system, receiving schemes such as a spatial filtering and a sequential decision and decoding are known (for example, P. W. Wolniansky, G. J. Foschini, G. D. Golden, R. A. Valenzuela, "V-BLAST: An Architecture for Realizing Very High Data Rates Over the Rich-scattering Wireless Channel" invited paper, Proc. ISSSE-98, Pisa, Italy, Sep. 29, 1998).
In the MIMO system, signals are transmitted from a plurality of transmitting apparatuses after transmission sequences of the respective transmitting apparatuses are subjected to error-correcting-coding. In the receiving apparatus, the transmit signals are received with antennas whose number is equal to or greater than the number of the transmitting apparatuses, and propagation path H for each of the antennas is estimated on the basis of a pilot signal inserted into the signal received by each antenna.
The propagation path H thus estimated is expressed as a 2×2 matrix if, for example, two transmitting apparatuses exist and two receiving antennas exist. The spatial filtering is a method by which the transmitted signals are obtained by multiplying an inverse matrix of the propagation path H thus obtained by the receive signals and then subjected to error-correcting-coding, to obtain the transmission sequences.
The sequential decision and decoding is a method by which a replica signal is formed by multiplying one of the transmit signals obtained from the spatial filtering by the propagation path matrix, fed back to the receive signals before subjected to the spatial filtering, and subtracted from the receive signals, to improve the demodulation performance of the other transmit signal.
If propagation paths have a high correlation, however, the signals cannot be separated at high accuracy by the spatial filtering. In this case, the receiving performance cannot be improved even if the replica signal is fed back by the sequential decision and decoding.
In the prior art, the transmit signals of the respective transmitting apparatuses have been interleaved in different patterns to reduce the characteristic degradation resulting from spatial correlation (for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI No. 2003-32226 and Murakami et al. "Review of application of interleaving of iterative decoding using deletion of signal points in the MIMO system" Shingaku-Giho RCS 2004-8). However, since a large memory has been required for application of such interleaving, it has complicated configuration of the transmitting apparatuses and receiving apparatuses and prevented downsizing and low power consumption of the apparatuses.

Receiving apparatus and demodulating method


A composite resin molded product has a molded product body made of a resin and a fiber sheet material inserted on the surface of the molded product body. The fiber sheet material is formed of a knitted fabric, and the rear surface of the knitted fabric faces the molded product. The surfaces of fiber yarns of the knitted fabric are integrated with the molded product body by melting and solidifying.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a composite resin molded product comprising a molded product body made of a resin and a fiber sheet material wherein the fiber sheet material is inserted on a surface of the molded product body, and to a method of molding the composite resin molded product.
2. Related Art
Composite resin molded products, which have their resin bodies reinforced by fiber, find applications in various members including automobile parts.
For example, Japanese Patent No. 3242399 discloses a bumper beam which is molded by using a thermoplastic resin composition comprising polypropylene pellets as a main component in which the polypropylene pellets contain glass fibers which have the substantially same length as that of the pellets, and the glass fibers are arranged approximately in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pellets.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 5-168503 discloses a shoe sole, particularly a shoe sole for sport shoes, wherein at least one fiber composite portion, comprising a matrix made of a synthetic resin and a fiber processed in the synthetic resin, is used to serve as a supporting component of the sole, and the fiber composite portion is combined with the other sole body by welding or chemically bonding.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-254469 discloses a resin molded product having at least a two-dimensional reinforcing core material formed in a non-planar shape and comprising a fiber material such as woven fabric or knitted fabric; a resin surface layer covering a surface of the core material; and a resin-made structure portion molded and integrated with the resin surface layer, wherein the resin surface layer and the structure portion are molded by means of an injection molding method.
In a case of using a fiber sheet material as a reinforcing material, there is sufficient room left to improve performance of composite resin molded products by examining the fiber sheet material itself.

Composite resin molded product and method for molding the same

National University Corporation Kyoto Institute of Technology


A magnetic composite body comprising magnetic nanoparticles having a number average particle diameter of 1 to 50 nm and having a compound represented by formula (I) fixed on their surfaces, and a method comprising bringing the magnetic composite body into contact with a test piece followed by magnetic separation:R1O—(CH(R2)CH2O)n-L-X   Formula (I)

Recently, magnetic particles have been proposed as means for collecting a target substance efficiently. Since magnetic particles can be collected easily and efficiently by using an external magnetic field, they are used as accurate detection means in methods for detecting biological substances and the like. In order to surely collect a target substance of very small size in a microenvironment, such as a virus molecule in an organism, the surface area of the nanoparticles for collection has to be large. Therefore, vaccines and methods for separating, concentrating, or detecting viruses have been proposed which use small-sized nanoparticles (See, for example, "Biomaterial-Seitaizairyou" vol. 22, no. 6 (2004), pp. 394-399). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2002-165591 discloses adsorption of viruses by magnetic particles which have lectin on its surface and which consist of polymer particles containing a magnetic material in their interior portions.
However, when the particle diameter of the magnetic particles to be used is large, the amount of the adsorbed target substance and the analysis sensitivity are insufficient though the magnetic particles show better response to magnet. In contrast, when the particle diameter is not larger than several tens of nanometers, the magnetic particles show inferior response to magnet; therefore accurate analysis is difficult.
In order to provide magnetic nanoparticles of nano-class which can surely respond to an external magnetic field, it has been proposed to aggregate the magnetic nanoparticles by using a polymer having a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) or an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) (See, for example, International Publication No. 02/16571 pamphlet and JP-A No. 2002-60436).

Magnetic composite body, production method thereof, method for removing substance with mannose on its surface, and method for concentrating substance with mannose on its surface

Abstract: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or alkenyl group having a carbon chain length of 1 to 20, or a substituted or unsubstituted, aryl or heterocyclic group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; L may be present or not present, and, when L is present, L represents an alkylene or alkenylene group having a carbon chain length of 1 to 10 which may have a branched chain or a substituent; X represents a hydrogen atom, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, or a sulfonic acid group; and n represents an integer of 1 to 10.


A power and signal transmission system performs a transmission of a power from a first communication device to a second communication device via a transmission path as well as a transmission of a signal between the first and second communication devices via the transmission path. The first communication device includes a high voltage power source and a first pair of active inductances each having a low DC impedance and a high AC impedance, through which the power from the high voltage power source is supplied to the transmission path, and the second communication device includes a DC/DC converter and a second pair of active inductances each having a low DC impedance and a high AC impedance, through which the power transmitted via the transmission path is supplied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power and signal transmission system which makes signal transmission via lines and permits transmission of power by using lines such as those used in a public telephone network.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in exchanges, etc., power transmission is made via signal-transmitting lines. In a typical exchange, first and second communication devices are connected to each other via communication lines. A digital signal is applied to the input terminal of the transmitting circuit of the first communication device and is converted by a transmitting circuit, which is powered from a power source, to a signal having no direct current component. The converted signal is, in turn, transmitted on the lines via a signal-source resistor and a transformer. The receiving circuit of the second communication device receives the signal transmitted over the lines. In the first communication device, a high-voltage source delivers a high-voltage from the center tap of the secondary winding of a transformer, connected by a signal-short-circuiting capacitor, to the lines. The high voltage supplied to the lines is lowered by line resistance and then applied to a DC-to-DC conversion circuit in the second communication device. The conversion circuit converts the input high voltage to a power supply voltage required with a receiving circuit in the second communication device.
However, the use of transformers and choke coils for power transmission will increase the cost and make the system large because they are costly and large. In addition, there are disadvantages in that the assembly of the transformers and the choke coils takes a lot of time and labor, and the assembly cost also increases.


Multi-terminal field effect devices comprising a chalcogenide material. The devices include a first terminal, a second terminal and a field effect terminal. Application of a gate signal to the field effect terminal modulates the current passing through the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals and/or modifies the holding voltage or current of the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals. The devices may be used as interconnection devices in circuits and networks to regulate current flow between circuit or network elements.

Today's electronic devices rely on conventional silicon technology. With silicon technology, one can fabricate the electronic components (e.g. transistors, diodes, switches, memory, integrated circuits and processors) needed to produce modern computers and consumer electronic products. Silicon-based electronics have been remarkably successful in the market place and have provided a number of conveniences that have greatly simplified everyday life.
The growth of silicon-based electronics over the past few decades has been propelled by the enormous strides that have been made in the miniaturization of devices during manufacturing. Miniaturization trends have faithfully followed Moore's Law for many years over many generations of silicon technology. As device feature sizes decrease, it becomes possible to include ever more devices in a given area of a silicon wafer and to achieve improved performance and speed from computers and electronic products.
Since future improvements in computing power and functionality are currently predicated on further improvements in silicon technology, there has been much recent discussion about the prognosis for continued miniaturization of silicon-based electronic devices. A growing consensus is emerging that believes that the computer industry is rapidly approaching the performance limits of silicon. The feature size in today's manufacturing technologies is 0.18 micron and it is expected that this can be reduced to about 0.10 micron in the future. Further decreases in feature size, however, are deemed problematic because sizes below about 0.10 micron lead to a change in the fundamental behavior of silicon. More specifically, as the dimensions of silicon devices decrease to tens of nanometers and below, silicon enters the quantum regime of behavior and no longer functions according to the classical physics that governs macroscopic objects. In the quantum regime, energy states are quantized rather than continuous and phenomena such as tunneling lead to delocalization of electrons across many devices. Consequences of tunneling include leakage of current as electrons escape from one device to neighboring devices and a loss of independence of devices as the state of one device influences the state of neighboring devices. In addition to fundamental changes in the behavior of silicon, further decreases in the dimensions of silicon devices also pose formidable technological challenges. New innovations in fabrication methods such as photolithography will be needed to achieve smaller feature sizes.
Two other drawbacks of silicon technology have been identified. First, the costs of installing and operating new manufacturing facilities have increased exponentially as feature sizes have decreased. At today's 0.18 micron feature size, for example, the cost of building a new semiconductor fabrication facility exceeds a billion dollars. This cost will only increase as devices become smaller and more susceptible to impurities and process contamination. Second, there is growing recognition that the functionality of silicon-based computers is inherently limited as certain computations remain largely unamenable to solution by modem computers. Examples include factoring, parallel computing, pattern recognition and associative memory. Similarly, many tasks that are readily and intuitively performed by humans and other biological organisms are difficult, cumbersome and oftentimes impossible to implement with conventional computers.
Consideration of the future of computing indicates a need for new computers with new functionality to address ever more sophisticated applications. New computers that are adaptable and flexible and that operate according to reasoning and intelligence are needed. A need exists for computers that are not limited to the rigid, brute force problem solving methodology of conventional computers. Instead, computers are needed that can respond to changing situations with an ability to discriminate information from multiple sources to provide reasoned outputs, even in the face of seemingly conflicting circumstances. The functionality required to achieve intelligent computers and devices extends beyond the current and projected performance capabilities of the silicon technology underlying conventional computers. Consequently, a need exists for a new and revolutionary computing paradigm, based at least in part on new non-silicon computing media, that encompasses general purpose computers and task-specific computing devices. In order to achieve this goal, a need exists for the development of and interconnection strategies for non-silicon based electronic devices and components as well as the interfacing of these devices and components with conventional silicon.


In a frequency spectrum variation monitoring system, the values of two parameters including the root mean square (RMS) value of each of the output signals from various detectors disposed at several locations in a nuclear power plant and the RMS value of the time-differentiated version of the detector output signal are calculated both at the normal state and at any time instant. These parameter values are used to obtain the RMS value of the deviation of the frequency spectrum of the detector output signal from the normal state and the average frequency weighted with that frequency spectrum deviation, so that the geometrical variation in frequency spectrum of the detector output signal may be monitored.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for detecting on a real time basis the variations in frequency spectrum of the output signals from various detectors disposed at several locations in a nuclear power plant, especially the frequency values, the locations at which anomalous peaks occur on the power spectral densities (hereinafter referred to as PSDs) of the detector output signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Frequency spectrum analyzers have hitherto been used to monitor the variations in frequency spectrum of signals. The frequency spectrum analyzer, however, is expensive and rather voluminous. In addition, the analyzer takes relatively much time for data processing and it is difficult for the analyzer to monitor many signals on a real time basis. The Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 87941/76 discloses a system in which the variation in frequency spectrum of a signal is detected by monitoring continuously the average frequency and the RMS value given by the following equation (1): ##EQU1## Here, .nu.(t) is the average frequency at time instant t, .omega. the angular frequency, S(.omega., t) the short-time PSD, .sigma.(t) the RMS value of the signal at time instant t, and .mu.(t) the RMS value of the time-derivative of the signal. When the signal has a relatively broad frequency range, the average frequency given by the equation (1) will have a small variation even though an anomalous peak occurs on the frequency spectrum. Accordingly, it is difficult in the above-described prior art system to detect the geometrical variation in the frequency spectrum and to estimate the frequency value at which the anomalous peak occured.

Frequency spectrum variation monitoring system


A knife has an implement lying in an implement plane and an attachment structure lying in the implement plane. The attachment structure is integral with the knife body with a fixed portion extending laterally from the top of the knife body. A gate is pivotably attached to a first part of the fixed portion of the attachment structure and pivotable in the implement plane between a closed position and an open position. When the gate is opened, the attachment may be clipped to another article, and the knife is releasably attached to the other article when the gate is closed.

This invention relates to a knife, and more particularly to a knife having an integral gated attachment.
Many knives are intended to be conveniently carried on the person of the user of the knife, and a number of carrying approaches have been devised. For example, smaller knives with folding implements, termed pocket knives, are carried in the pocket of the user. Fixed-implement knives such as conventional hunting knives and some types of folding-implement knives are provided with a sheath or pouch that is carried on the belt of the user. The knife itself is held in the sheath or pouch either by friction or with a strap. The knife is removed from the sheath or pouch when the knife is to be used.
In some situations, it is desirable that the knife be carried externally to the clothing of the user for quick access. A belt clip on the body of the knife allows the knife to be clipped to the belt of the user. A lanyard strung through a hole in the knife body permits the knife to be carried around the neck of the user or otherwise releasably attached to the body or equipment of the user. A nonintegral clip through a hole in the knife body can be used to attach the knife to other objects, as for example with a small knife attached by a clip to a keychain.
Each of the available approaches has limitations and shortcomings in specific situations. Carrying a knife in a pocket limits the size of the knife and also may make it difficult to extract the knife from the clothing. A sheath or pouch adds weight and may be awkward to use. The belt clip is limited as to the nature of the structure to which it is clipped. A knife carried on a lanyard or nonintegral clip can swing wildly, and the lanyard may become tangled.
There is a need for an attachment approach which is compact and allows the knife to be releasably attached to other articles. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.
The present invention provides a knife with an attachment structure that is particularly convenient for attaching the knife to a wide variety of other articles to which attachment is otherwise difficult. The ability to attach the knife to large or bulky articles is particularly facilitated. The attachment structure is smoothly integral with the knife body, so that it does not risk entanglement with clothing or other structure and is not unsightly. The invention also provides a knife construction that structurally integrates the attachment structure into the body of the knife for strength, for improved manufacturability, and for reduced cost.
In accordance with the invention, a knife comprises a knife body having a first body end, a second body end, a top, and a bottom, and at least one implement (e.g., a cutting blade, file, scissors, or other implement) extending from the knife body at the first body end and lying in an implement plane. The implement may be fixedly or pivotably joined to the knife body at the first body end. An attachment structure comprises a gate attachment integral with the knife body at a first location, and an attachment arm integral with the knife body at a second location, which may be at or near the second body end of the knife. The attachment arm has an attachment-arm end separated from the gate attachment. Stated alternatively, a fixed attachment extends laterally from the top of the knife body in the implement plane. At least one of the gate attachment and the attachment-arm end is positioned laterally from the knife body so that there is an attachment separation therebetween. A gate has a first gate end and a second gate end, and the first gate end is pivotably joined to the gate attachment, preferably by a gate-pivot pin. The gate is pivotable in the implement plane between a closed position wherein the second gate end lies adjacent to the attachment-arm end and an open position wherein the second gate end is separated from the attachment-arm end to form an opening between the gate attachment and the attachment-arm end. The gate is biased toward the closed position.
In one embodiment, the gate attachment and/or the attachment arm are integral with the knife body along the knife body top. Desirably, the second gate end is closer to the knife body top when the gate is in the open position than when the gate is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the second gate end contacts the attachment-arm end when the gate is in the closed position.
The present invention provides a knife construction which is strong and adapted to the use of the described attachment structure. It includes in one construction embodiment an implement-support plate to which a base of the implement is pivotably attached at the first end of the knife body, and an attachment plate from which the gate attachment and the attachment arm extend. The implement-support plate and the attachment plate typically lie in a side-by-side relation. Preferably, two implement-support plates form the knife body. Optionally, separate side bolsters that form the external sides of the knife body may be provided in a side-by-side relation with the implement-support plate and the attachment plate. More preferably, however, there are two implement-support plates, and these two implement-support plates form the external sides of the knife body as well as support the implement(s).
Where the implement is pivotable, a spring arm may extend from the attachment plate and contact the base of the implement. Where the implement base has a cam surface thereon that is contacted by the spring arm, the implement movement may be given a detent action at the closed and/or open positions.
The attachment structure is particularly well suited for quick, reliable external attachment to and detachment from bulky objects. Attachment and detachment are readily accomplished with one hand in most cases. Such bulky objects include, for example, a ring attachment of the handle of a purse or brief case, a D-ring or ring, a rope, and the like. Conventional spring attachments of the type found on writing pens and many knives cannot readily be used to attach the combination tool to such bulky objects.
In conventional knives with belt clips, the force required to open the clip increases with increasing size of the gap that is desired. The result is that attachment of the clip to another article becomes increasingly difficult with increasing thickness of the other article. The clip attachment cannot easily attach to and detach from thick rings and other bulky articles because of the increasing force required to open the clip to the required size, and because the rings are too thick to pass easily through the resulting attachment gap in the clip structure easily. With the present approach, by contrast, the spring-loaded pivoting gate opens widely with only slightly increased biasing force to be overcome by the user, and then reliably closes to retain the attachment to the other article.


A process for producing polyolefin with a vapor-phase fluidized-bed reactor, wherein the reaction is started after filling the reactor with particles which contain moisture and/or molecular oxygen and can form a fluidized bed in order to prevent the formation of molten resin which is liable to occur at the start of the reaction and to attain a smooth operation of the reactor.

In a polymerization process for preparing polyolefins using a vapor-phase fluidized-bed, the fluidized-bed reactor is previously fed with resin powder called seed polymer and it is then fluidized. The polymerization reaction is carried out by continuously feeding mixed gas materials, catalysts and alkylaluminum compounds as catalyst promoters. Simultaneously with the above operation, impurities (oxygen, moisture or the like) in the gas are removed. The polymer particles which grew up during a predetermined residence time are taken out. When the above-mentioned seed polymers are not used, the fed catalyst cannot be well dispersed to form granular resins; therefore, the fluidized-bed is not formed. Accordingly, in a fluidized-bed polymerization reactor, seed polymers have inevitably been used in the start of operation.
In the production of polyolefins using a vapor-phase fluidized-bed, it is most important that the fed catalysts be dispersed evenly in a reactor and the fluidized gas is also distributed uniformly in the reactor, thereby effectively removing the heat of reaction. That is, when the concentration of catalyst is extremely high locally in a reactor or the cooling effect is insufficient because of the lack of the dispersion of gases, molten resins are formed into lumps which hinder the fluidization, and the temperature distribution becomes more uneven resulting in the formation of much more molten resins. Owing to this vicious circle, the produced resin cannot be withdrawn from the vessel and the reaction must be stopped.
Concerning the above problems, the latter uniform distribution of fluidized gas can be solved rather easily by examining the relationship between particle size, its distribution, the bulk density of resins, and fluidizing gas velocity, with taking the structure of the vessel into consideration. However, regarding the former problem of the dispersion of catalyst, the uniform dispersion has been hardly realized, because the fine powder of catalyst clings to the wall of the vessel due to static electricity generated by the flow of catalyst and resin powder, thereby locally increasing the catalyst concentration. In many cases, this phenomenon is caused to occur markedly in about half a day after the beginning of reaction, and the temperature is raised only in the wall portion wherein the melting of resin is caused to occur.
It is often experienced that resin powder is statically charged when it is fluidized. For example, it is known that when resin powder is transferred through a pipe, it clings thinly to the inside surface of the pipe. In the production of polyolefins with a fluidized-bed, such a phenomenon was also experienced heretofore. As the countermeasures for this, U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,370 discloses that a reactor is fed with moisture-containing gas; Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 56-4608 discloses a method to allow liquid hydrocarbons to coexist; furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,311 discloses the addition of chromium compounds; and Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 1-230607 discloses the addition of an alcohol or ketone into a reactor. In all of these methods, specific substances are supplied into a reactor during polymerization reaction; therefore, particular apparatus must be installed when practiced, and the operation is naturally complicated. Accordingly, a much simpler measure to eliminate effectively the above disadvantages is eagerly required.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing polyolefin particles, which method is free from the above disadvantages in a polymerization reaction with a vapor-phase fluidized-bed and easily prevents the formation of molten resin due to the occurrence of static electricity without any additional installation to a reaction system.


A semiconductor device and manufacturing method. One embodiment provides a device including a semiconductor chip. A first conductor line is placed over the semiconductor chip. An external contact pad is placed over the first conductor line. At least a portion of the first conductor line lies within a projection of the external contact pad on the semiconductor chip.

This invention relates to a device including a semiconductor chip, at least one conductor line and at least one external contact element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a device.
Wafer level packaging is gaining interest throughout the semiconductor industry. Conductor lines are used to provide redistribution layers in the wafer level packages. So far the routing density in the wafer level packages is limited by technologies reasons, but the designers are steadily pushing towards tighter and tighter design rules.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

Semiconductor device with arrangement of parallel conductor lines being insulated, between and orthogonal to external contact pads


A ferrite with a high permeability and a high dielectric constant is introduced. Raw material powders, such as TiO2, Fe2O3 and the oxide of Mn, Ni, Cu, Mg, Li or Zn is prepared and combined in the proportion Tix(MFe2O4+2x/y)y, where x+y=1 and 0 less than xc3x97 less than 1. M is any one of a mixture of metals selected from Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn. The ratio between x and y can be adjusted according to practical needs to obtain ferrites with different permeabilities and dielectric constants. The ferrite can simultaneously be a magnetic material and a dielectric material in an electronic element. This can avoid the possible drawbacks due to sintering of two different materials in the prior art.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a ceramic material with both high permeability and high dielectric constant. More particularly, it relates to a ferrite with both high permeability and high dielectric constant and the manufacturing method for the same.
2. Related Art
Generally speaking, dielectric materials and ferrite materials are two kinds of substances with different properties and functions. The ferrite is a ferrimagnetic material, which, according to most studies, has a dielectric constant under 20. The dielectric materials, such as those used in capacitors, are not magnetic; that is, their permeabilities all equal 1. Therefore, if a layered element needs materials with both high permeability and high dielectric constant, e.g. LC-type layered elements or LC compound elements, different magnetic material and dielectric material are often needed to be sintered together. However, sintering two different materials usually causes many problems such as material compatibility, material match and breakdown of finished products. To conquer the problems due to sintering two different materials, one resolution is to find a material with both high permeability and high dielectric constant. In the prior art, the methods of obtaining materials with both high permeability and high dielectric constant proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,043 xe2x80x9cChip type LC composite ceramic componentxe2x80x9d, the Japanese Pat. No. 62,147,703 xe2x80x9cHigh permittivity oxide magnetic materialxe2x80x9d and the U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,770 xe2x80x9cFilter with ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composite materialsxe2x80x9d all need to prepare magnetic material powders and dielectric material powders in advance in the manufacturing process. The magnetic material powders, such as ferrite, are obtained by sintering and grinding magnetic materials. The dielectric material powders, such as Ba/Srxe2x80x94TiO3, are also obtained by sintering and grinding dielectric materials. These two different powders are then mixed, condensated, shaped, and sintering to obtain a compound material with magnetic and dielectric properties. However, when sintering these two types of powders, BaO and SrO in Ba/Srxe2x80x94TiO3 will combine with the ferrite to form barium ferrite and strontium Ferrite. These two ferrite are hard magnetic materials with a permeability close to 1. Therefore, the compound materials thus obtained have a very low permeability.
In summary, it is highly desirable to develop a new material with a high permeability and a high dielectric constant and its manufacturing method as well.
It is an objective of the invention to provide a ferrite with a high permeability and a high dielectric constant. It can not only be used as a magnetic material in an electronic element, e.g. LC-type elements, but also a dielectric material at the same time.
The ferrite with high permeability and dielectric constant disclosed in the specification has the following composition Tix(MFe2O4+2x/y)y, where x+y=1 and 0 less than xc3x97 less than 1. Here M is any one or more metals selected from the group of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn. Such a combination can form ferrite materials with a permeability between 2 and 2260 and a dielectric constant between 17 and 2775. Since the disclosed ferrite material is a single composite material mixed and formed from raw material powders of TiO2, Fe2O3 and one or more metal selected from Mn, Ni, Cu or Zn in an appropriate proportion. It does not have a hard magnetic phase as in barium and strontium ferrites and thus have a high permeability and a high dielectric constant. It is particularly useful in elements requiring magnetic and dielectric materials, such as LC-type elements. It also avoids the problems of compatibility and breakdown of finished products due to mixing two different materials.
According to a manufacturing method for ferrites with high permeability and high dielectric constant of the invention, raw material powders of TiO2, oxide of metal M and Fe2O3 are prepared according to the composition Tix(MFe2O4+2x/y)y and homogeneously mixed, where x+y=1 and 0 less than xc3x97 less than 1. The metal M can be any one or several metals selected from the group of Mn, Ni, Cu, Mg, Li and Zn. The homogeneously mixed material powders are preheated at, for example, 750xc2x0 C. and ground into tiny powders, which are then compressed and made into needed shapes. Afterwards, a temperature between 840xc2x0 C. and 1250xc2x0 C. is used for sintering, forming a ferrite with a high permeability and a high dielectric constant. The ratio between x and y can be adjusted according to practical needs to obtain ferrite materials with different permeabilities and dielectric constants. They are applicable to various types of elements.

Ferrite with high permeability and high dielectric constant and method for making the same

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A wireless control system for ground-mobile robotic systems in which communication between the operator control unit and the unmanned ground vehicle is transmitted via a plurality of spectrally efficient simplex communication links.

Ground-based mobile robotic vehicles (also termed ground-mobile robotic vehicles) are used to perform tasks hazardous to human safety. For example, ground-mobile robotic vehicles are often used by police and military personnel to move and/or detonate explosive devices. Ground-mobile robotic vehicles are used to obtain surveillance video and audio in hazardous locations, such as a building in which a suspected criminal may be located. Ground-mobile robotic vehicles are also used to reconnoiter potentially contaminated areas using chemical, nuclear, and/or biological sensors. Additionally, military ground-mobile robotic vehicles are used for security and the application of lethal force in combat areas.
Such ground-mobile robotic vehicles typically comprise an operator control unit (OCU) and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). The UGV typically comprises a chassis with a drive system including motor-driven wheels and/or an articulating track, a manipulator arm with gripper, surveillance camera and microphone for capturing video and audio for transmission to the OCU, a loudspeaker for broadcast of sound transmitted from the OCU, a plurality of sensors, mission-specific tools and implements, a communication interface (either hardwired or wireless, as discussed below), and one or more antennas (if the communication interface is wireless) for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the OCU. The OCU typically comprises one or more control input devices, such as a joystick and keyboard, a display screen and other status indicators, a loudspeaker for broadcast of sound transmitted from the UGV, a microphone for capturing audio for transmission to and broadcast at the UGV, a communication interface (either hardwired or wireless, as discussed below), and one or more antennas (if the communication interface is wireless) for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the UGV.
Either a hardwired ("tethered") or wireless ("non-tethered") communication link may be provided between the OCU and the UGV. Command and control data, as well as public address (PA) audio to be broadcast over the UGV loudspeaker, are typically transmitted from the OCU to the UGV via the communication link. Video and audio captured by the UGV, as well as sensor and status data, are typically transmitted from the UGV to the OCU via the communication link. A hardwired communication link typically comprises a fiber optic cable in a hardened casing. Such a hardwired communication link provides a large amount of bandwidth for transmitting large amounts of data quickly between the OCU and UGV. However, a hardwired communication link limits the distance that the UGV may travel from the OCU. Additionally, it is possible that the cable may snag on an obstruction thus preventing movement of the OCU. A wireless communication link typically comprises one or more radio frequency (RF) transmitters and receivers at both the OCU and the UGV. A wireless communication link between the OCU and the UGV will typically enable the UGV to travel further from the OCU and eliminates any risk of snagging. However, existing wireless communication links also present problems, as will be discussed in detail below.
Ground-based mobile robotic vehicles deployed using a wireless communication link typically involve transmitting and receiving a suitable set of base band signals over the RF communications link to allow for tele-operation (i.e., remote control) or monitoring of autonomous behavior by remote equipment or human beings. Typically, the base band signals transmitted and received over the RF communications link for real-time tele-operations comprise command and control data from the OCU to the UGV and low-latency camera video from the UGV to the OCU. The data signal must have a sufficiently low bit error rate and latency to provide safe and robust mobile command and control. The video signal must be of sufficient quality and, at the same time, have a sufficiently low latency to provide safe and robust mobile command and control. In addition to data and video, audio signals are often utilized to provide enhanced operator awareness of the UGV environment and status of the UGV itself. Audio generated from a surveillance microphone located on the UGV provides an audio signal synchronized with the live camera video and is transported in the same RF channel to drive a loudspeaker located at the OCU. A public address audio channel is used to provide audio generated from an operator microphone at the OCU to drive a loudspeaker located at the UGV, providing bi-directional voice communications between an operator and personnel in the UGV operating environment (e.g., remote hostage negotiation and imminent explosive detonation safety warning announcements).
The RF carrier modulation schemes typically employed to transmit and receive the video, audio, and data base band signals are amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), spread spectrum modulations such as direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) and frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), and wireless local area networks (WLAN). Each of these RF carrier modulation schemes has regulatory restrictions and performance deficiencies problematic for use in ground-mobile robotic vehicles.
In the United States, federal law prohibits the transmission of composite video by AM from a mobile platform. As such, FM systems are commonly used for video, audio, and data. However, FM receivers, particularly wide-band receivers required for live composite video, have serious deficiencies in overcoming distortion products produced by multi-path fade signals encountered when systems are operated inside and around man-made structures and naturally occurring solid objects, such as vegetation and significant terrain contour. Further exacerbating the problem with wide band FM in mobility systems are restrictions on radiated power coupled with the poor receiver sensitivity inherent in a 17.5 MHz (or wider) front-end pass-band, which is typically required for an FM system during operations to transmit the necessary base band information. The maximum transmission power limits couple with poor sensitivity to produce a limited system dynamic range. Typically, this system dynamic power range is +37 dBm (the maximum Federal Communications Commission (FCC) transmission power limit for mobile FM video) to −83 dBm (the smallest signal detectable by an FM video receiver).
Spread spectrum techniques, which also may be wide-band when used to transport video (typically 22 MHz channel bandwidth or more), have range performance issues when used at power levels allowed by federal law for non-federal law enforcement and other public safety organizations for this application (i.e., +30 dBm or less) and are spectrally inefficient. WLAN has poor range at legal power limits, and is prone to interference from other devices, due to federal regulatory restrictions which cluster these devices in small, shared bands of RF spectrum.
The high bandwidth requirement of these modulation methods used in RF video links do not allow for a high level of wireless robotic system performance due to decreased receiver sensitivity. These modulation methods are typically susceptible to fading and distortion caused by high multi-path RF environments. These high multi-path RF environments are commonplace in a tele-operated ground mobile robotics application. Multi-path fading and distortion is produced when the signal of interest and ghost images of this signal, the ghost images having bounced off of obstacles in their path to the receiver, are all detected by the receiver front end at the same time but arrive at different phase angles. In systems with no means to correct arrival time errors (time domain), such as FM, AM, and most WLAN architectures, the ghost images are detected as noise products and degrade the critical signal to noise ratio at the receiver. Unmanned mobility platforms typically experience Rayleigh and Ricean (probability distribution) signal fading limiting the mobility stand-off range from the OCU, which again is worsened by a high bandwidth requirement. Additionally, FM does not allow for forward error correction, which is desirable in these applications to correct errors caused by fading and distortion.

Wireless control system for ground-mobile robotic vehicles


A method for providing user access to telephony operations in a multi operating environment having memory resources nearly depleted that include determining whether a predetermined first memory threshold of a computing environment has been reached and displaying a user interface corresponding to memory usage; and determining whether a predetermined second memory threshold, greater than the first, of the computing environment has been reached. Restricting computing functionality and allowing user access for telephony operations, corresponding to a mobile device, when the second memory threshold is reached is included as well. Also included is maintaining the computing restriction until the memory usage returns below the second memory threshold.

New operational challenges arise when creating multi-operational environment devices (e.g. hardware devices that can include mobile and computing environments on a single device) including: (i) using the memory resources as efficiently as possible in all modes of operation; (ii) maintaining mobile communication or telephony stability and critical functionality while also using the computing environment.
Communication device operating instability can be seen in a multi-operating environment where resources such as memory are shared across the operating environments. Hardware devices can be docked or tethered or exist as peripheral devices during communication or operation within their respective operating environment.
Emulation systems that allow one operating system to control the devices have been thought of as managing resources efficiently. However, other resources such as processor usage are not efficiently handled.
More importantly is controlling the multi-operating environment under critical conditions such as extremely depleted memory resources.

Resource management in a multi-operating environment


A control device includes a liquid reservoir and a buoyant body movable to either an upper control position or to a lower control position in response to the level of the liquid in the reservoir. The outer surface of the buoyant body includes a cavity circumscribed by a rim engageable with a surface of the reservoir in the lower control position of the buoyant body to define a chamber isolated from the reservoir. A passageway normally connects the chamber to a source of low pressure but is connectible to a source of higher pressure, such that during the filling of the reservoir with the liquid, a low pressure in the chamber normally holds the buoyant body in the lower control position until the chamber is connected by the passageway to the higher pressure to permit the buoyant body to move by buoyancy to the higher control position.

The present invention relates to control devices controlled by a buoyant body.
Devices controlled by buoyant bodies are used in a number of applications. One common application is as an actuator for controlling a valve or the like in response to liquid level, e.g., in a toilet flushing system. However, in the conventional devices including a buoyant body actuator, the buoyant body moves continuously in response to changes in liquid level so that the actuating point is not precise. As a result, considerable quantities of water are wasted in such a flushing system since the tank reservoir begins to refill while the valve is still open and the water is still being flushed.


In accordance the present invention a package assembly 10 for the storage and distribution of a plurality of mints 14 is provided comprising a bottom container 12 for the storage of the plurality of mints 14, the bottom container 12 comprising a bottom container base 16 and a plurality of bottom container sidewalls 18. The package assembly 10 also includes an upper cover 24 including an upper cover top surface 36. The upper cover 24 is mountable to the bottom container 12. An arched longitudinal detent 38 is formed in the upper cover 24. The arched longitudinal detent 38 is comprised of a detent surface 40 having a detent width 42, a detent length 44 and a detent depth 46. A delivery orifice 54 is formed through a portion of the arched longitudinal detent 38 and has an orifice width 56 and an orifice length 58. The orifice width 56 and the orifice length 58 are sized to allow one of the plurality of mints 14 to pass through the delivery orifice 54. An engagement slot 60 is formed into the arched longitudinal detent 38, the engagement slot 60 having a slot width 63, a slot length 64, and a slot depth 66. The engagement slot 60 is preferably connected to said delivery orifice 54. A slidable arched tongue element 68 is movable between a tongue open position 72 and a tongue closed position 70. The tongue element 68 includes a tongue upper surface 74 and a tongue lower surface 76. The slidable arched tongue element 68 covers the delivery orifice 54 when in the tongue closed position 70 and the slidable arched tongue element 68 uncovers the delivery orifice 54 when in the tongue open position 72. A t-shaped tongue engagement element 92 is mounted to the tongue lower surface 76 and is comprised of a longitudinal vertical member 94 and a longitudinal horizontal member 96. The longitudinal vertical member 94 has a vertical member length 102, a vertical member width 98, and a vertical member depth 100. The longitudinal vertical member 94 is positioned within the engagement slot 60 such that the slidable arched tongue element 68 is slidably secured to the arched longitudinal detent 38.

Packaging can no longer be treated as simply a utilitarian element utilized to bring a product to market. Appearance, ease of use, shape, configuration, and a variety of other packaging characteristics have been found to effect a customer's perception of the product contained within. Consumers may also attribute the perceived quality of the packaging with the product contained within. Additionally, the unique aspects of a packaging design and its unique functions can develop consumer identity that may further promote product sales.
As a result of such considerations, packaging design has taken on an increased significance to product manufacturers. Unique designs and dispensing features, in the case of mints or candy, can often result in complex packing designs. This may result in complex or time consuming manufacturing that may negatively impact the cost associated with a product's distribution. If these costs are passed on to the consumer, they may in turn negatively impact the perception of the product or its value. It is therefore of great import to develop packaging assemblies that may be produced with simple cost effective methods while continuing to provide novelty of function and unique perceptions to consumers.
It would therefore be highly desirable to have a new packaging assembly for the distribution of mints or other candies. It would further be highly desirable to have a packaging assembly with improved manufacturing and assembly characteristics.


The nail form device of the present invention comprises an integral structure having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion has an upwardly convex surface for supporting the synthetic nail which is to be attached to the natural nail. The rearward portion has a downwardly concave surface for supporting the finger to which the synthetic nail is to be attached. An opening is positioned in the upper portion of the structure and has a forward edge formed by the forward portion and a rearward edge formed by the rearward portion. The opening is adapted to receive the forward portion of a finger with the forward edge of the opening being adapted to insert beneath a portion of the natural nail. The forward portion gradually tapers to smaller dimensions away from the opening, and provides a removable support for the nail extension. The rearward portion is shaped to hold at least the under portion of the forward portion of the finger and cooperates with the opening to position and hold the natural nail for application of the synthetic nail.

In the past, synthetic plastic nails have been deposited or formed on supports such as shields, foils or the like which are inserted beneath the natural nail tip and extend forwardly. Such prior art devices suffer from a number of disadvantages among which are difficulty in holding them in position during the application and hardening of the synthetic nail composition; difficulty and discomfort in positioning the finger and nail in the device; lack of ready adaptability to different finger and nail sizes; and lack of simplicity of construction and use.
It is therefore the desire of this invention to provide a nail form device which is reusable and which overcomes all of such disadvantages and which provides the unusual combinations and subcombinations of advantages in construction, fabrication, mode of operation and adaptability and comfort in operation.
It is also desirable to provide a nail form device which may easily and quickly be applied to a finger or toe to be treated by using only one hand of the operator and which may be easily removed and transferred from one finger or toe to another.


An integrated lead flexure for a disk drive head suspension, comprising two or more spaced-apart traces extending between terminal connector pads and head connector pads, wherein the spacing between the traces substantially continuously decreases along at least a portion of the length of the traces.

Disk drive head suspensions with wireless or integrated lead flexures are generally known and disclosed, for example, in the following U.S. patents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S.Inventor NamePat. No.Klaassen5,608,591Erpelding5,631,786Young5,717,547Balakrishnan5,737,152Balakrishnan5,995,328Balakrishnan et al.6,038,102Balakrishnan et al.6,275,358Shiraishi et al.6,839,204Kulangara et al.6,975,488
The continuing development of read/write head and related disk drive technology requires flexures having improved mechanical and electrical specifications. For example, the read/write head often has a significantly different characteristic impedance than the pre-amp circuit. Such impedance mismatching gives rise to various problems. For example, impedance mismatching between the read/write head and the pre-amp circuit can cause signal reflection and power loss. There remains, therefore, a continuing need for integrated lead flexures having improved impedance characteristics.

Integrated lead head suspension with tapered trace spacing


A structure for supporting articles, such as skis in vertical orientation off of a vehicle includes an elongated, adjustable support bar having engagement clips disposed on opposite ends of the support bar. The engagement clips are interconnected by a resilient member extending through the support bar to apply an inwardly directed retention force to the clips. One or more article support members extend transversely from the support bar.

The present invention relates generally to automotive article support structures, and more particularly to automotive ski supports.
A variety of carriers have been developed for carrying skis on cars, trucks, van or other motor vehicles. Most often, these carriers support skis either on the roof or the rear of the vehicle. Although such carriers effectively convey the skis during travel, these carriers do not adequately support the skis when the skier is placing his or her skis in a manner which protects either the finish of the vehicle or the edges of the skis.
Typically, when a skier reaches a ski destination, he or she must put on their ski boots at the car, collect their skis and walk to the lift station. Sometimes, it is possible for a skier to put his or her skis on at the car and ski over to the lift station. In either situation, as well as in preparing to leave a ski area, it is common for a skier to place his or her ski against their vehicle. The skis are usually leaned against the vehicle in an upright position and often, the skis may slide off of the vehicle into the surrounding snow or environment. This sliding may damage the exterior finish of the skier's vehicle, because of the sharpened metal edges found on downhill skis. This sliding may also damage the metal edges of the skis if the skis are not adequately supported against or on the car, leading to less than desired performance due to dents and chips incurred therein, if the skis should slip off the car and fall to the ground.
Accordingly, a need exists for a vehicle article support structure which may be easily attached to and removed from a vehicle and which provides a support structure for supporting elongated articles, such as skis, in an upright position along the exterior surface of the vehicle and which protects the skis and the finish of the vehicle.
Some article carriers are known which support certain articles, such as guns and fishing rods, in an upright position, as demonstrated by U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,633, issued Aug. 16, 1966. This patent describes a portable gun or rod holder having a support member which is magnetically mounted to the exterior surface of a vehicle. A ski support device known as the SkiStander.TM. is available which consists of a plastic bracket having a magnetic base. This device also relies upon magnetic attraction to adhere to the side of a vehicle. The magnets require a metallic surface for mounting of the support structure and therefore a user is limited in the number of areas of a vehicle to which the structure may be affixed. For example, the magnets preclude the use of the support structure at the elevation of the glass portion of the vehicle. Additionally, magnetic-style attachments may not be effective in the winter months due accumulation of snow, slush, ice or the like upon the exterior of the vehicle.
The present invention is therefore directed to an article support structure which is easily attached to and removable from vehicles, particularly the window portions thereof, which provides a support structure for holding elongated articles, such as skis, in a substantially upright position against a vehicle in order to protect the vehicle finish and the edges of the skis.

Structure for supporting articles against vehicles