Author: claimsbot

1. A three-dimensional (3D) drawing device comprising:
a housing configured to accept a feed stock;
a nozzle assembly at least partially disposed within the housing and having an exit nozzle;
a motor disposed within the housing; and
a gear train disposed within the housing and coupled between the motor and the feed stock and configured such that rotation of the motor causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle to form a three-dimensional object.
2. The 3D drawing device of claim 1, further comprising a heating element positioned adjacent to the exit nozzle and configured to melt the feed stock prior to extrusion through the exit nozzle.
3. The 3D drawing device of claim 1, further comprising a fan configured to provide a flow cooling air at exit nozzle.
4. The 3D drawing device of claim 3, wherein:
the housing comprises an internal volume and at least one cooling port proximate to the exit nozzle, the cooling port in fluid communication with the internal volume; and
the fan is disposed within the housing and configured to draw air into the internal volume.
5. The 3D drawing device of claim 4, wherein the at least one cooling port is configured to direct a flow of cooling air from the internal volume onto the extruded feed stock at the exit nozzle.
6. The 3D drawing device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to selectably cause the motor to rotate in at least a first direction that causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle.
7. The 3D drawing device of claim 6, wherein the actuator is configured to selectably cause the motor to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
8. The 3D drawing device of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises at least one button.
9. The 3D drawing device of claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises:
a first button that causes the motor to rotate in the first direction at a first speed such that the feed stock is extruded out of the exit nozzle at a first rate; and
a second button that that causes the motor to rotate in the first direction at a second speed such that the feed stock is extruded out of the exit nozzle at a second rate that is greater than the first rate,

wherein simultaneous actuation of the first and second buttons causes the motor to rotate in the second direction.
10. The 3D drawing device of claim 1, wherein:
the feed stock is provided in the in the form of a strand; and
the gear train comprises a final gear having teeth that engage the strand of feed stock such that rotation of the final gear causes the strand of feed stock to linearly move.
11. A three-dimensional (3D) drawing device comprising:
a housing configured to accept a feed stock, the housing having an internal volume and at least one cooling port in fluid communication with the internal volume;
a nozzle assembly at least partially disposed within the housing proximate to the at least one cooling port and having an exit nozzle;
a fan disposed within the housing and configured to draw air into the internal volume and then force the air out of the at least one cooling port;
a motor disposed within the housing; and
an actuator coupled to the housing, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle to form a three-dimensional object.
12. The 3D drawing device of claim 11, further comprising a heating element positioned adjacent to the exit nozzle and configured to melt the feed stock prior to extrusion through the exit nozzle.
13. The 3D drawing device of claim 11, wherein the at least one cooling port is configured to direct a flow of cooling air from the internal volume onto the extruded feed stock at the exit nozzle.
14. The 3D drawing device of claim 11, further comprising:
a motor disposed within the housing and coupled to the actuator such that actuation of the actuator causes the motor to rotate in at least a first direction; and
a gear train disposed within the housing and coupled between the motor and the feed stock and configured such that rotation of the motor in the first direction causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle.
15. The 3D drawing device of claim 14, wherein the actuator is configured to selectably cause the motor to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
16. The 3D drawing device of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises at least one button.
17. The 3D drawing device of claim 16, wherein the actuator comprises:
a first button that causes the motor to rotate in the first direction at a first speed such that the feed stock is extruded out of the exit nozzle at a first rate; and
a second button that that causes the motor to rotate in the first direction at a second speed such that the feed stock is extruded out of the exit nozzle at a second rate that is greater than the first rate,

wherein simultaneous actuation of the first and second buttons causes the motor to rotate in the second direction.
18. The 3D drawing device of claim 14, wherein:
the feed stock is provided in the form of a strand; and
the gear train comprises a final gear having teeth that engage the strand of feed stock such that rotation of the final gear causes the strand of feed stock to linearly move.
19. The 3D drawing device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be held in a user’s hand.
20. The 3D drawing device of claim 11, wherein the housing is configured to be held in a user’s hand.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A contact arrangement, comprising:
a contact carrier which includes at least a series of contact chambers; and
at least one contact element insertable into the series of contact chambers;
wherein each of at least one of the at least one contact element includes:
a fastening section for the accommodation of an electrical line;
a box-shaped contact section, that includes:
a body;
a snap-on lance connected to the body and which acts together with a respective one of the contact chambers in a latched manner; and
a top element connected to the snap-on lance and which:
in relation to a direction of insertion of the respective contact element into the respective contact chamber, is situated on a side of the respective contact element facing away from the respective contact chamber;
is, via engagement with a rib of the respective contact chamber, slideable transversely to the direction of insertion into the respective contact chamber so as to latch the respective contact element in the respective contact chamber via engagement with an undercut of the respective contact chamber; and
forms, with the snap-on lance and the body, a smooth outer geometry of the respective contact element before the insertion of the respective contact element into the respective contact chamber.
2. The contact arrangement of claim 1, wherein the snap-on lance and the respective contact element form a one-piece part.
3. The contact arrangement of claim 1, wherein the respective contact element together with the snap-on lance is a punched bent part.
4. The contact arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top element in a latched state cooperates with a secondary locking mechanism so that the secondary locking mechanism is transferable to its locking position exclusively in the latched state of the snap-on lance in an undercut of the respective contact chamber.
5. The contact arrangement of claim 1, wherein one of a unipolar and multipolar electrical plug includes the contact carrier.
6. The contact arrangement of claim 1, wherein the contact carrier is made of an insulating material.
7. The contact arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of the respective contact element is shaped so as to form a groove in which the rib is relatively displaced during the insertion of the respective contact element in the respective contact chamber.
8. A contact arrangement, comprising:
a contact carrier made of an insulating material, the contact carrier having at least a series of contact chambers;
at least one contact element insertable into the series of contact chambers;
wherein:
each of at least one of the series of contact chambers includes an undercut and at least one rib that cooperates with a groove of a respective one of the at least one contact element and that has a ramp-shape; and
the respective contact element includes:
a fastening section for the accommodation of an electrical line; and
a box-shaped contact section that includes:
a body that includes the groove;
a snap-on lance connected to the body and which acts together with the contact chamber in a latched manner; and
a top element connected to the snap-on lance and which:
\u2003in relation to a direction of insertion of the respective contact element into the contact chamber, is situated on a side of the respective contact element facing away from the contact chamber;
\u2003is, via engagement with the rib, slideable transversely to the direction of insertion into the contact chamber so as to latch the respective contact element in the contact chamber via engagement with the undercut; and
\u2003forms, with the snap-on lance and the body, a smooth outer geometry of the contact element before the insertion of the respective contact element into the contact chamber.
9. The contact arrangement of claim 8, wherein the ramp shape of the rib is situated at the height of the undercut, in a direction of insertion of the respective contact element into the contact chamber.
10. The contact arrangement of claim 8, wherein one of a unipolar and multipolar electrical plug includes the contact carrier.
11. A contact element, comprising:
a body;
a snap-on lance connected to the body; and
a top element connected to the snap-on lance;
wherein:
a part of the body forms a groove; and
the snap-on lance and the top element:
are adapted to be displaced relative to the body and into a latching position, by engagement of the top element with a rib of a contact chamber during insertion of the contact element into the contact chamber, transversely to a direction of the insertion; and
form, before the insertion, a smooth outer geometry with an outline of the body, which outline is defined by outermost exterior edges of the body, one of the outermost exterior edges being divided by the groove.
12. The contact element of claim 11, wherein, in relation to the direction of the insertion, the top element is situated on a side of the contact element facing away from the contact chamber.
13. The contact element of claim 11, wherein the body includes a groove adapted for at least partially surrounding the rib when the contact element is inserted in the contact chamber.
14. The contact element of claim 11, wherein the contact element further comprises:
a fastening section for accommodation of an electrical line.
15. The contact element of claim 11, wherein the outer geometry formed by the snap-on lance and the top element with the body is box-shaped.
16. A contact chamber, comprising:
a rib having a ramp-shaped end formed on a first side;
an undercut formed on a second side opposite the first side;
wherein:
the contact chamber has an opening in which to receive a contact element;
the rib is positioned so as to (a) be at least partially surrounded by a body of the contact element when the contact element is inserted in the contact chamber, (b) cooperate with a groove formed by the body, and (c) engage a latching element of the contact element to move the latching element transverse to a direction of the insertion and toward the undercut; and
the undercut is situated so as to engage the latching element of the contact element when the contact element is inserted in the contact chamber, the latching element being at a side of the contact element facing the opening.
17. The contact chamber of claim 16, wherein the undercut is in a plane that is, with respect to the opening, downstream of the ramp-shaped end.
18. A contact arrangement, comprising:
a contact chamber; and
a contact element insertable into the contact chamber and that includes:
a body, wherein a part of the body forms a groove;
a snap-on lance connected to the body at a first end of the snap-on lance which acts together with the contact chamber in a latched manner; and
a top element connected to the snap-on lance at a second end of the snap-on lance opposite the first end and which:
in relation to a direction of insertion of the contact element into the contact chamber, is situated on a side of the contact element facing away from the contact chamber;
is, via engagement with a rib of the contact chamber, slideable transversely to the direction of insertion into the contact chamber so as to latch the contact element in the contact chamber via engagement with an undercut of the respective contact chamber, the snap-on lance being moved relative to the body by the transverse sliding of the top element; and
forms with the snap-on lance, before the insertion of the contact element into the contact chamber, a smooth outer geometry with an outline of the body, which outline is defined by outermost exterior edges of the body, one of the outermost exterior edges being divided by the groove.

1. A cold cathode gas discharge device, said device comprising:
a light source comprising at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp having an elongated shape for supplying light;
a lamp support pole having a surface, wherein said cold cathode fluorescent lamp is attached to the surface at a plurality of locations along its length so that the lamp is substantially fixed in position relative to the surface; and
an electrical connector electrically connected to the lamp and supplying power to the lamp.
2. The device of claim 1, said at least one lamp having a spiral shape.
3. The device of claim 2, said at least one lamp being in the shape of one or more coils.
4. The device of claim 2, said at least one lamp surrounding the lamp support pole.
5. The device of claim 2, said at least one lamp having two ends and two electrodes at its two ends, said electrodes oriented along direction of the spiral shape of the at least one lamp.
6. The device of claim 2, said device having an axis, said at least one lamp having two ends and two electrodes at its two ends, said electrodes oriented along the axis of the device.
7. The device of claim 1, said at least one lamp having two ends and two electrodes at its two ends, said two ends having cross sectional dimensions that are larger than at least another portion of the at least one lamp to accommodate electrodes that are larger than the dimensions of such portion.
8. The device of claim 1, said lamp support pole having a shape that is substantially spherical, hemi-spherical, cylindrical, pyramidal, conical, cubical, ellipsoidal in shape or in the shape of a candle-flame or plate, an elongated stem with a round end or one having an elliptical or circular cross section.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said lamp support pole comprises a glass, plastic, ceramic or metallic material.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive attaching said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp to the surface at a plurality of locations along its length, said adhesive comprising a material that is stable and retains its function as an adhesive when exposed to UV radiation or heat.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp comprises an envelope having a wall that is about 0.2 to 3 mm in thickness.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein said lamp support comprises an elongated pole, and said at least one lamp surrounds said pole, said lamp support and said at least one lamp forming a straight cold cathode lamp.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein said lamp driver includes an ACAC or DCAC inverter.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein said lamp driver includes a high voltage transformer, andor a fuse andor an inductor.
15. A cold cathode gas discharge device, said device comprising:
a light source comprising at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp for supplying light;
a lamp support having a surface, wherein said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp is attached to the surface at a plurality of locations along its length so that the lamp is substantially fixed in position relative to the surface; and
a driver supplying power to the at least one lamp to cause it to emit light;
an electrical connector electrically connected to the driver supplying power to the driver; and
a housing for the driver, said housing mechanically connecting the lamp support and the connector to form a substantially rigid structure.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp is an elongated and having a shape that matches said surface of the lamp support.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp support comprises a pole.
18. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp support has a groove or indentation which is shaped to accommodate said at least one lamp.
19. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp support has an open or closed end.
20. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp support comprises a glass, plastic, ceramic or metallic material.
21. The device of claim 15, wherein said housing comprises a reflective layer facing the at least one lamp.
22. The device of claim 15, wherein said at least one lamp is separated from said driver and housing by an air gap to reduce heat transfer from said at least one lamp to said driver.
23. The device of claim 15, wherein said housing having a wall facing said at least one lamp, said wall having one or more holes therein to facilitate air movement for removing heat generated by said at least one lamp.
24. The device of claim 15, further comprising an adhesive attaching said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp to the surface at a plurality of locations along its length, said adhesive comprising a material that is stable and retains its function as an adhesive when exposed to UV radiation or heat.
25. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp support comprises an elongated pole, and said at least one lamp surrounds said pole, said lamp support and said at least one lamp forming a straight cold cathode lamp.
26. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp driver includes an ACAC or DCAC inverter.
27. The device of claim 15, wherein said lamp driver includes a high voltage transformer, andor a fuse andor an inductor.
28. A cold cathode gas discharge device, said device comprising:
a light source comprising at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp for supplying light;
a lamp support having a surface, wherein said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp is attached to the surface at a plurality of locations along its length so that the lamp is substantially fixed in position relative to the surface; and
a driver supplying power to the at least one lamp to cause it to emit light;
an electrical connector electrically connected to the driver supplying power to the driver;
a housing for the driver; and
a container containing said at least one lamp, said housing mechanically connecting the lamp support, the container and the connector to form a substantially rigid structure.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein said container comprises glass or plastic, has a shape of a conventional lamp, and is translucent or transparent to light from said at least one lamp.
30. The device of claim 28, wherein said container passes only light of a selected color from said at least one lamp.
31. The device of claim 28, wherein said housing comprises a reflective layer facing the at least one lamp.
32. The device of claim 28, wherein said container is close ended and totally encloses the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.
33. The device of claim 28, wherein said container is open ended and does not totally enclose the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.
34. The device of claim 28, wherein said container comprises a reflective layer that conforms to shape of a conventional MR-16, R20, R24, R30, R40 or R50 type reflector lamp.
35. The device of claim 28, wherein said container comprises a reflective layer that has holes therein for air to pass through to help heat dissipation of the lamp.
36. The device of claim 28, wherein said container comprises a glass, plastic or metallic material.
37. The device of claim 28, wherein said driver includes an ACAC or DCAC inverter.
38. The device of claim 28, wherein said driver includes a high voltage transformer, andor a fuse andor an inductor.
39. A cold cathode gas discharge device, said device comprising:
a light source comprising at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp having a predetermined shape for supplying light;
a lamp support attached to and supporting the cold cathode fluorescent lamp so that the cold cathode fluorescent lamp has said predetermined shape; and
an electrical connector electrically connected to the lamp and supplying power to the lamp.
40. The device of claim 39, said electrical connector mechanically connected to the lamp support to form a substantially rigid structure.
41. The device of claim 39, further comprising:
a driver supplying power to the at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp to cause it to emit light; and
a housing for the driver, said housing mechanically connecting the lamp support and the connector to form a substantially rigid structure.
42. The device of claim 39, said lamp being elongated, said device further comprising an adhesive attaching said at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp to the surface at a plurality of locations along its length, said adhesive comprising a material that is stable and retains its function as an adhesive when exposed to UV radiation or heat.
43. The device of claim 42, said plurality of locations surrounding the lamp support so that the light source has said predetermined shape.
44. The device of claim 39, said lamp being in the shape of a coil that surrounds the lamp support.
45. The device of claim 39, wherein said predetermined shape for supplying light is substantially spherical, hemi-spherical, spiral, cylindrical, pyramidal, conical, cubical, ellipsoidal in shape or in the shape of a candle-flame or plate.
46. The device of claim 39, wherein said driver includes an ACAC or DCAC inverter.
47. The device of claim 39, wherein said driver includes a high voltage transformer, andor a fuse andor an inductor.
48. The device of claim 39, said device having a predetermined shape, the lamp support attached to and supporting the light source at a plurality of locations surrounding the lamp support so that the light source has said predetermined shape.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery comprising:
an electrode substrate; and
an active material layer formed on the electrode substrate the active material layer containing an active material and a binder as a main component,
wherein said active material layer contains thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin.
2. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 1, wherein said thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin is alkylphenyl-modified xylene-formaldehyde resin.
3. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 1, wherein said active material has a particle diameter within a range of 20-100 m.
4. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 1, wherein said active material is a hydrogen storage alloy capable of reversibly making electro-chemical absorption or desorption of hydrogen.
5. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 1, wherein a layer of said thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin covers the outside of said active material layer.
6. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin is contained in a boundary between said active material layer and said electrode substrate.
7. An electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin is contained in said active material layer.
8. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery by applying an active material slurry containing an active material and a binding agent as a main component to an electrode substrate, comprising the steps of:
mixing said active material and an aqueous binder or aqueous emulsion binder to create active material slurry;
applying or filling the active material slurry to or in an electrode substrate and drying the electrode substrate; and
immersing the electrode substrate in a solution with thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin dissolved in organic solvent and drying it.
9. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery according to claim 8, wherein said thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin is alkylphenyl-modified xylene-formaldehyde resin.
10. A method of manufacturing an electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 8, wherein said active material is a hydrogen storage alloy capable of reversibly making electro-chemical absorption or desorption of hydrogen.
11. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery by applying an active material slurry containing an active material and a binding agent as a main component to an electrode substrate, comprising the steps of:
mixing an active material and an aqueous binder or aqueous emulsion binder to create active material slurry; applying or filling the active material slurry to or in an electrode substrate and drying the electrode substrate;
emulsifying a solution of thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin dissolved in an organic solvent to create an emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin; and
immersing the electrode substrate in the emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin and drying it.
12. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery according to claim 11, wherein said thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin is alkylphenyl-modified xylene-formaldehyde resin.
13. A method of manufacturing an electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 11, wherein said active material is a hydrogen storage alloy capable of reversibly making electro-chemical absorption or desorption of hydrogen.
14. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery by applying an active material slurry containing an active material and a binding agent as a main component to an electrode substrate, comprising the steps of:
emulsifying a solution of thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin dissolved in an organic solvent to create an emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin; mixing said active material and the emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin to create active material slurry; and
applying or filling the active material slurry to or in an electrode substrate and drying the electrode substrate.
15. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery according to claim 14, wherein said thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin is alkylphenyl-modified xylene-formaldehyde resin.
16. A method of manufacturing an electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 14, wherein said active material is a hydrogen storage alloy capable of reversibly making electro-chemical absorption or desorption of hydrogen.
17. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery by applying an active material slurry containing an active material and a binding agent as a main component to an electrode substrate, comprising the steps of:
applying a solution of thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin dissolved in an organic solvent to said electrode substrate and drying it; and
applying said active material slurry to said electrode substrate to which the solution of thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin has been applied.
18. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery according to claim 17, wherein said thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin is alkylphenyl-modified xylene-formaldehyde resin.
19. A method of manufacturing an electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 17, wherein said active material is a hydrogen storage alloy capable of reversibly making electro-chemical absorption or desorption of hydrogen.
20. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery by applying an active material slurry containing an active material and a binding agent as a main component to an electrode substrate, comprising the steps of:
emulsifying a solution of thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin dissolved in an organic solvent to create an emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin;
applying said emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin to the electrode substrate and drying it; and
applying said active material slurry to the electrode substrate to which the emulsion of thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin has been applied and drying it.
21. A method of manufacturing an alkaline storage battery according to claim 20, wherein said thermosetting xylene-formaldehyde resin is alkylphenyl-modified xylene-formaldehyde resin.
22. A method of manufacturing an electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to claim 20, wherein said active material is a hydrogen storage alloy capable of reversibly making electro-chemical absorption or desorption of hydrogen.