Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A sliding door system having a pair of horizontally opposed vertical surfaces defining therebetween an opening, an upper horizontal surface connecting uppermost ends of the vertical surfaces, a lower horizontal surface connecting lowermost ends of the vertical surfaces, and a door moving horizontally to open and close the opening, comprising:
a first optical device having a light emitter for a emitting light, a second optical device having a light receiver for receiving the light, and a light reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light emitter to the light receiver; and
wherein the light reflector is positioned in at least one of the horizontally opposed vertical surfaces; and
wherein the first and second optical devices are positioned in the upper horizontal surface.
2. A sliding door system having a pair of horizontally opposed vertical surfaces defining therebetween an opening, an upper horizontal surface connecting uppermost ends of the vertical surfaces, a lower horizontal surface connecting lowermost ends of the vertical surfaces, and a door moving horizontally to open and close the opening, comprising:
a first optical device having a light emitter for emitting light, a second optical device having a light receiver for receiving the light, and a light reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light emitter to the light receiver;
wherein the light reflector is positioned in at least one of the horizontally opposed vertical surfaces;
wherein one of the first and second optical devices is positioned in the upper horizontal surface; and
wherein the other one of the first and second optical devices is positioned in the other one of the horizontally opposed vertical surfaces, opposing to the light reflector.
3. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the light reflector positioned in the vertical surface has a portion facing to the opening that is substantially flush with the vertical surface so as not to substantially protrude therefrom towards the opening.
4. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the light reflector positioned in the vertical surface has a portion facing to the opening that is substantially flush with the vertical surface so as not to substantially protrude therefrom towards the opening.
5. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the other one of the first and second optical devices positioned in the other one of the vertical surfaces has a portion facing to the opening that is substantially flush with the vertical surface so as not to substantially protrude therefrom towards the opening.
6. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for halting the driving of the door driver if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is less than a predetermined reference amount of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
7. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, further comprising:
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for halting the driving of the door driver if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is less than a predetermined reference amount of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
8. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
a warning device;
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for energizing the warning device to alarm passengers if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is less than a predetermined reference amount of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
9. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, further comprising:
a warning device;
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for energizing the warning device to alarm passengers if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is less than a predetermined reference amount of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
10. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for halting the driving of the door driver if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is more or less than a predetermined reference range of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
11. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, further comprising:
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for halting the driving of the door driver if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is more or less than a predetermined reference range of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
12. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
a warning device;
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for energizing the warning device to alarm passengers if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is less than a predetermined reference amount of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
13. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, further comprising:
a warning device;
a door driver for driving the door between a closing position where the door completely closes the opening and an opening position where the door completely opens the opening;
a controller for energizing the warning device to alarm passengers if it determines that the amount of the light received by the light receiver is less than a predetermined reference amount of the light before or during the door moves from the closing position and the opening position.
14. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pair of the horizontally opposed vertical surfaces are defined by a pair of fixed vertical frame portions provided adjacent to the door.
15. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the pair of the horizontally opposed vertical surfaces are defined by a pair of fixed vertical frame portions provided adjacent to the door.
16. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the horizontally opposed vertical surface is a leading vertical end surface of the door.
17. The sliding door system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the horizontally opposed vertical surface is a leading vertical end surface of the door.
18. An elevator system having a pair of horizontally opposed vertical surfaces defining therebetween an opening defined for an elevator cage, an upper horizontal surface connecting uppermost ends of the vertical surfaces, a lower horizontal surface connecting lowermost ends of the vertical surfaces, and a door moving horizontally to open and close the opening, comprising:
a first optical device having a light emitter for emitting light, a second optical device having a light receiver for receiving the light, and a light reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light emitter to the light receiver; and
wherein the light reflector is positioned in at least one of the horizontally opposed vertical surfaces; and
wherein the first and second optical devices are positioned in the upper horizontal surface.

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 self-fitting device for location in an ear canal, comprising:
a first end portion joined with a second end portion, the first end portion including a first resilient bladder and the second end portion including a second resilient bladder;
a first chamber of fluid defined inside the first bladder and sealed from an environment outside the device;
a second chamber of fluid defined inside the second resilient bladder and sealed from the environment outside the device, the second resilient bladder in communication with the first resilient bladder via communication of the second chamber with the first chamber;
the first resilient bladder is deformable between an at-rest position to an in-ear position to an insertion position such that the first resilient bladder has a first cross-sectional area in the at-rest position, a second cross-sectional area in the in-ear position and a third cross-sectional area in the insertion position wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the third cross-sectional area; and,
the second resilient bladder is deformable such that deformation of the second resilient bladder causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position to the insertion position before the device is located in the ear canal.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein deformation of the second resilient bladder causes fluid to leave the second chamber and enter the first chamber and thereby causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position to the insertion position.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein deformation of the second resilient bladder causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position then to the in-ear position and then to the insertion position.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein an external pressure applied to the second resilient bladder deforms the second resilient bladder thereby causing the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position then to the in-ear position then to the insertion position and then back to the in-ear position when the external pressure is removed from the second resilient bladder.
5. The device of claim 1 comprising a plunger in communication with the first and second chambers such that deformation of the second resilient bladder exerts pressure on the plunger causing the plunger to move away from the second chamber and thereby assists to deform the first resilient bladder.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the plunger comprises a head and a shaft joined to the head and with the shaft having an end spaced from the head and the end touching the first resilient bladder at least when the first resilient bladder is deformed.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein the plunger comprises a core surrounded by a sheath in sliding relationship therewith.
8. The device of claim 8 wherein the core is joined with the second resilient bladder and the sheath is joined with the first resilient bladder.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a gas or a liquid.
10. A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal, comprising:
a first end portion joined with a second end portion, the first end portion including a first resilient bladder and the second end portion including a second resilient bladder;
a first chamber of fluid defined inside the first bladder and sealed from an environment outside the device;
a second chamber of fluid defined inside the second resilient bladder and sealed from the environment outside the device, the second resilient bladder in communication with the first resilient bladder via communication of the second chamber with the first chamber;
the first resilient bladder is deformable between an at-rest position to an in-ear position to an insertion position such that the first resilient bladder has a first cross-sectional area in the at-rest position, a second cross-sectional area in the in-ear position and a third cross-sectional area in the insertion position wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the third cross-sectional area;
the second resilient bladder is deformable such that deformation of the second resilient bladder causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position to the in-ear position; and,
a plunger in communication with the first and second chambers such that deformation of the second resilient bladder exerts pressure on the plunger causing the plunger to move away from the second chamber and thereby assists to deform the first resilient bladder wherein the plunger comprises a head and a shaft joined to the head and with the shaft having an end spaced from the head and the end touching the first resilient bladder at least when the first resilient bladder is deformed.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the end of the shaft is joined to the first resilient bladder.
12. The device of claim 10 comprising a core in sliding relationship with the head with the core joined to the second resilient bladder.
13. The device of claim 10 wherein an external pressure applied to the second resilient bladder deforms the second resilient bladder and thereby causing the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position then to the in-ear position then to the insertion position and then back to the in-ear position when the external pressure is removed from the second resilient bladder.
14. A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal, comprising:
a first end portion joined with a second end portion, the first end portion including a first resilient bladder and the second end portion including a second resilient bladder;
a first chamber of fluid defined inside the first bladder and sealed from an environment outside the device;
a second chamber of fluid defined inside the second resilient bladder and sealed from the environment outside the device, the second resilient bladder in communication with the first resilient bladder via communication of the second chamber with the first chamber;
the first resilient bladder is deformable between an at-rest position to an in-ear position to an insertion position such that the first resilient bladder has a first cross-sectional area in the at-rest position, a second cross-sectional area in the in-ear position and a third cross-sectional area in the insertion position wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the third cross-sectional area;
the second resilient bladder is deformable such that deformation of the second resilient bladder causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position to the in-ear position; and,
a plunger in communication with the first and second chambers such that deformation of the second resilient bladder exerts pressure on the plunger causing the plunger to move away from the second chamber and thereby assists to deform the first resilient bladder wherein the plunger comprises a core surrounded by a sheath in sliding relationship therewith.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the core is joined with the second resilient bladder and the sheath is joined with the first resilient bladder.
16. The device of claim 14 wherein the first resilient bladder comprises a non-resilient material layer surrounding a resilient material layer.
17. The device of claim 14 wherein the first resilient bladder comprises a resilient material layer surrounding a non-resilient material layer.
18. The device of claim 14 wherein the first resilient bladder comprises a resilient material layer surrounding a resilient material layer.
19. The device of claim 14 wherein the first resilient bladder maintains an accordion shaped outer surface when in the at-rest position.
20. The device of claim 14 wherein deformation of the second resilient bladder causes fluid to leave the second chamber and enter the first chamber and thereby causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position to the insertion position.
21. A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal, comprising:
a first end portion joined with a second end portion, the first end portion including a first resilient bladder and the second end portion including a second resilient bladder;
a chamber of fluid defined inside the second resilient bladder and sealed from the environment outside the device;
the first resilient bladder is deformable between an at-rest position to an in-ear position to an-insertion position such that the first resilient bladder has a first cross-sectional area in the at-rest position, a second cross-sectional area in the in-ear position and a third cross-sectional area in the insertion position wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the third cross-sectional area; and,
the second resilient bladder is deformable such that deformation of the second resilient bladder causes the first
the second resilient bladder is deformable such that deformation of the second resilient bladder causes the first resilient bladder to be deformed from the at-rest position to the insertion position before the device is located in the ear canal.

1. A security apparatus for blocking unauthorized access for a ladder that is supported on a column structure, the apparatus comprising
a retaining collar conforming to the shape of the periphery of the structure and having a separable portion with a coupling thereon for attaching the collar to the structure;
a plurality of frusta-conical segments each having an upper portion, a bottom portion and radial edges, with each upper portion having means for attaching to said collar, and with each bottom portion extending radially downwardly at an angle ranging from about 25 to about 45 degrees from said collar, and with each segment for interconnection along the adjacent radial edges thereof forming a frusta-conical enclosure about 10 feet in diameter around the structure and the ladder for blocking unauthorized access to the ladder; and with at least one of said segments having an opening therein for providing clearance for the ladder and providing clearance for an authorized person to access the ladder; and
an access door for the enclosure, for covering the opening providing clearance for the authorized person, and having a lockable means thereon for securing said door to the frusta-conical enclosure, for blocking unauthorized access to the ladder, wherein said means for attaching said segments to said collar include said collar having a plurality of flanges extending radially and downwardly at an angle therefrom ranging from about 25 to about 45 degrees, and the upper portions of said segments having fasteners for engaging the respective flanges of said collar.
2. A security apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the structure has a generally cylindrical periphery and said collar is in the form of two corresponding semi-cylindrical bands.
3. A security apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the structure has a generally rectangular periphery and said collar is in the form of two corresponding semi-rectangular bands.
4. A security apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the structure is in the form of an \u201cI\u201d beam and said collar is in the form of two corresponding semi-rectangular bands.
5. A security apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said access door is hinged at one side thereof and includes a locking device on one of the other side thereof.
6. A security apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said access door is slidable along the enclosure to provide access to the ladder.
7. A security apparatus for blocking unauthorized access for a ladder that is supported on a generally vertical wall structure, the apparatus comprising
a retaining strip having a flange thereon for attaching the strip to the wall;
a plurality of frusta-conical segments each having an upper portion, a bottom portion and radial edges, with each upper portion having means for attaching to said strip, and with each bottom portion extending radially downwardly from said strip at an angle ranging from about 25 to 45 degrees, and with each segment for interconnection along the adjacent radial edges thereof forming a semi-frusta-conical enclosure about 5 feet in radius around the ladder and the wall for blocking unauthorized access to the ladder; and with at least one of said segments having an opening therein for providing clearance for the ladder and providing clearance for an authorized person to access the ladder; and
an access door covering the opening providing clearance for the authorized person, and having a lockable means thereon for securing said door to the frusta-conical enclosure, for blocking unauthorized access to the ladder, wherein said means for attaching said segments to said strip include said strip having a plurality of flanges extending radially and downwardly at an angle therefrom ranging from about 25 to about 45 degrees, and the upper portions of said segments having fasteners for engaging the respective flanges of said collar.

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. An active matrix type electroluminescence display device comprising:
a plurality of display pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, each of said display pixels including an electroluminescence element to which one end of a capacitor for maintaining a voltage corresponding to a display signal is connected via a driver transistor; and
a plurality of capacitor lines extending in a row direction and connected to and shared by the other end of said capacitors of said display pixels; wherein
a constant voltage is supplied from both ends of said capacitor lines;
said capacitor is connected to a gate of the driver transistor, which drives the electroluminescence element.
2. An active matrix type electroluminescent display device comprising:
a plurality of display pixels, each including an electroluminescent element, arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a first thin film transistor in which a display signal is applied to the drain and which is switched on and off in response to a select signal, a capacitor having one end connected to the source of the first thin film transistor and for maintaining a voltage corresponding to said display signal, and a second thin film transistor for driving said electroluminescence element based on said display signal;
a plurality of first capacitor lines, each extending in a row direction and connected to and shared by the other end of capacitors of said display pixels;
a second capacitor line connected to first ends of said plurality of first capacitor lines;
a third capacitor line connected to second ends of said plurality of first capacitor lines; wherein
said second and third capacitor lines are connected to a common constant voltage source, and said constant voltage is supplied to said first ends and said second ends of said plurality of first capacitor lines through said second and third capacitor lines.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein
said second capacitor line extends in a column direction on one side of an area in which said plurality of display pixels are arranged in a matrix, and
said third capacitor line extends in a column direction on the other side of the area in which said plurality of display pixels are arranged in a matrix.
4. An active matrix type electroluminescence display device comprising:
a plurality of display pixels, each including an electroluminescence element, arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a first thin film transistor in which a display signal is applied to the drain and which is switched on and off in response to a select signal, a capacitor having one end connected to the source of the first thin film transistor and for maintaining a voltage corresponding to said display signal, and a second thin film transistor for driving said electroluminescence element based on said display signal;
a plurality of first capacitor lines, each extending in a row direction and connected to and shared by the other end of capacitors of said display pixels;
a second capacitor line connected to first ends of said plurality of first capacitor lines;
a third capacitor line connected to second ends of said plurality of first capacitor lines; and
wherein a constant voltage is supplied to said first ends and second ends or said plurality of first capacitor lines through said second and third capacitor lines.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein
said second capacitor line extends in a column direction on one side of an area in which said plurality of display pixels are arranged in matrix, and
said third capacitor line extends in a column direction on the other side of the area in which said plurality of display pixels are arranged in matrix.
6. The device of claim 1 comprising:
a second capacitor line connected to first ends of said plurality of capacitor lines;
a third capacitor line connected to second ends of said plurality of capacitor lines; and
wherein said constant voltage is supplied to said first ends and second ends or said plurality of capacitor lines through said second and third capacitor lines.