All The Claims

1. A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages, the mechanism comprising:
a housing having longitudinal ends;
first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing about a pivot axis;
rings for holding loose-leaf pages, each ring including a first ring member mounted on the first hinge plate and moveable with the pivoting motion of the first hinge plate, each ring further including a second ring member, the first ring member being movable relative to the second ring member so that in a closed position the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings from one ring member to the other, and in an open position the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings;
a travel bar and a locking element, the travel bar and locking element being free of fixed connection to the hinge plates and movable in translation relative to both the housing and the hinge plates, the travel bar being disposed for blocking the pivoting motion of the hinge plates in a locking position of the travel bar when the ring members are in the closed position;
an actuating lever mounted for pivoting movement relative to the housing further comprising two arms positioned to engage the hinge plates and produce the pivoting motion of the hinge plates; and
an elongate link connecting the actuating lever to the travel bar such that pivoting motion of the actuating lever produces the translational movement of the travel bar, wherein the elongate link is oriented so it extends longitudinally relative to the housing.
2. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the two arms are separated by a channel, a portion of each hinge plate being received in the channel.
3. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein for each of the hinge plates, said portion that is received in the channel comprise a relatively narrow finger.
4. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a tension spring including a first end connected to the travel bar between two ends of the travel bar, the tension spring biasing the travel bar to a position toward one longitudinal end of the housing corresponding with the locking position of the travel bar.
5. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tension spring includes a second end connected to the hinge plates.
6. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tension spring includes a second end connected to the housing.
7. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein the travel bar is slidably fixed to the housing by at least one rivet.
8. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the link comprises a wire.
9. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking element is positioned between the hinge plates and the housing and substantially out of registration with an opening in the hinge plates when the travel bar is the locking position, the travel bar being moveable by pivoting movement of the actuating lever to a non-locking position in which the locking element is in registration with the opening in the hinge plates and does not block pivoting movement of the hinge plates.
10. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein the housing exerts a spring force on the hinge plates biasing the ring members against movement toward the open position with the ring members are in the closed position.
11. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a cover, the ring binder mechanism being mounted on the cover, the cover being hinged for movement to selectively cover and expose loose-leaf pages retained on the ring binder mechanism.
12. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the link has an elongate opening therein for receiving a mounting post.
13. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the link comprises an elongate beam having flanges on opposite sides.
14. A ring binder mechanism as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pin pivotally connecting the link to the actuating lever.

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 gas separation membrane, which comprises a porous support membrane and a gas-separating thin film that comprises a gas-separating resin as a main component, and which has an oxygen permeation rate not smaller than 100 GPU and an oxygen-nitrogen separation factor not smaller than 1.1.
2. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the porous support membrane is a polymeric microporous membrane having a porosity of 20% to 80%, the gas separation membrane comprises the gas-separating thin film having an average thickness of 0.01 \u03bcm to 5 \u03bcm at least on one surface, andor the interior of the polymeric microporous membrane, the oxygen-nitrogen separation factor of the gas-separating resin being not smaller than 1.5.
3. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the porous support membrane is a polymeric microporous membrane having a porosity of 20% to 80%, the gas-separating resin forms a thin film in an amount from 0.01 gm2 to 10 gm2 at least on one surface, andor the interior of the polymeric microporous membrane, and the oxygen-nitrogen separation factor of the resin is not smaller than 1.5.
4. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the polymeric microporous membrane is a microporous membrane formed using a polyolefin as a main component.
5. The gas separation membrane according to claim 4, wherein the polymeric microporous membrane is a polyolefin microporous membrane manufactured by wet separation process.
6. The gas separation membrane according to claim 4, wherein the polymeric microporous membrane contains one or two types selected from among ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having a viscosity average molecular weight of 300,000 to 4,000,000 and polypropylene having a viscosity average molecular weight of 100,000 to 3,000,000.
7. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the polymeric microporous membrane is a microporous membrane comprising microfibrils having a network structure.
8. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the polymeric microporous membrane has a thickness of 5 \u03bcm to 200 \u03bcm.
9. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the polymeric microporous membrane has an average pore diameter of 1 nm to 300 nm by gas-liquid porometry.
10. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the average pore diameter of the polymeric microporous membrane is 0.01 to 0.3 \u03bcm, and the pore diameter distribution index is 1.1 to 1.5 by a pullulan method.
11. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the air permeability of the polymeric microporous membrane is 50 to 1500 seconds.
12. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the piercing strength at 100\xb0 C. of the polymeric microporous membrane is 1 to 50 N.
13. The gas separation membrane according to claim 2, wherein the thermal shrinkage of the polymeric microporous membrane at 100\xb0 C. is not greater than 5% both in the longitudinal and transversal directions.
14. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the gas-separating resin is a fluorine-containing gas-separating thin film comprising a fluororesin.
15. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the gas-separating resin is a fluororesin having an oxygen-nitrogen separation factor not smaller than 1.5.
16. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the gas-separating resin is a copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxol and tetrafluoroethylene.
17. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the gas-separating thin film ranges from 0.01 \u03bcm to less than 1 \u03bcm.
18. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the gas-separating resin forms a thin film in an amount of 0.01 gm2 to 10 gm2.
19. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the thermal shrinkage at 100\xb0 C. of the gas separation membrane is not greater than 5% both in the longitudinal and transversal directions.
20. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the piercing strength of the gas separation membrane at 100\xb0 C. is 1 to 50 N.
21. The gas separation membrane according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen-nitrogen separation factor of the gas separation membrane is not smaller than 1.5.
22. A nitrogen enriching membrane comprising the gas separation membrane according to claim 1.
23. An oxygen enriching membrane comprising the gas separation membrane according to claim 1.
24. A method for manufacturing the gas separation membrane according to claim 1, comprising: a film formation step of obtaining a solution by dissolving a polymer resin in a plasticizer at a temperature not lower than the melting point of the polymer resin, obtaining then a gel by cooling said solution at a temperature not higher than the crystallization temperature of the polymer resin, and forming a film using the gel; a stretching step of forming a stretched film by biaxially stretching, by a 4-fold or more stretch ratio, the film obtained in the film formation step; a plasticizer removal step of removing the plasticizer from the stretched film obtained in the stretching step; and a coating and drying step of coating a solution of a gas-separating resin onto the polymeric microporous membrane obtained in the plasticizer removal step and drying the solution of the gas-separating resin.

1. A disc pump system comprising:
a pump body having a substantially cylindrical shape defining a cavity for containing a fluid, the cavity being formed by a side wall closed at both ends by substantially circular end walls, at least one of the end walls being a driven end wall having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending radially outwardly from the central portion of the driven end wall;
an actuator operatively associated with the central portion of the driven end wall to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall thereby generating displacement oscillations of the driven end wall in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto with an annular node between the center of the driven end wall and the side wall when in use;
an isolator operatively associated with the peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce damping of the displacement oscillations, the isolator comprising a flexible printed circuit material;
an electrochemical detection system coupled to conductive paths in the isolator, the electrochemical detection system being operable to detect the presence of a target gas in fluid that flows through the pump body;
a first aperture disposed at any location in either one of the end walls other than at the annular node and extending through the pump body;
a second aperture disposed at any location in the pump body other than the location of the first aperture and extending through the pump body; and,
a valve disposed in at least one of the first aperture and second aperture; whereby:
the displacement oscillations generate corresponding pressure oscillations of the fluid within the cavity of the pump body causing fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.
2. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein first aperture and the second aperture are arranged to cause fluid to flow through the disc pump in a circuitous path.
3. The disc pump system of claim 2, wherein:
the electrochemical detection system comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode; and
the circuitous path is disposed adjacent the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode such that fluid flowing through the disc pump system flows first over the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode.
4. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein first aperture is disposed in the driven end wall at a location that is coincident with a central pressure anti-node of the disc pump system.
5. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein first aperture is disposed in the driven end wall at a location that is coincident with a peripheral pressure anti-node of the disc pump system.
6. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the target gas comprises a volatile organic compound.
7. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a metal oxide sensor.
8. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a printed polymeric material having electrical properties that change in the presence of the target gas.
9. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a polymeric material that is printed onto electrical contacts of the isolator.
10. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises at least one electrode.
11. The disc pump system of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the surface of the driven end wall within the cavity.
12. The disc pump system of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the isolator within the end wall within the cavity.
13. A method for detecting the presence of a target gas in a disc pump system having a disc pump having an actuator mounted within the disc pump on an isolator, the isolator comprising a flexible circuit material, whereby the isolator allows the actuator to oscillate for generating air flow through a cavity of the disc pump to supply pressure to a load, the method comprising:
driving the actuator to cause an oscillatory displacement motion of the actuator to generate radial pressure oscillation of fluid within the cavity;
causing fluid to flow through the cavity over an electrochemical detection system;
detecting the presence of the target gas; and
indicating the presence of the target gas.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the target gas comprises a volatile organic compound.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein:
the electrochemical detection system comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a metal oxide sensor.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a printed polymeric material having electrical properties that change in the presence of the target gas.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a polymeric material that is printed onto electrical contacts of the isolator.
19. A disc pump comprising:
a pump body having a substantially cylindrical shape defining a cavity for containing a fluid, the cavity being formed by a side wall closed at both ends by substantially circular end walls, at least one of the end walls being a driven end wall having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending radially outwardly from the central portion of the driven end wall;
an actuator operatively associated with the central portion of the driven end wall to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall thereby generating displacement oscillations of the driven end wall in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto with an annular node between the center of the driven end wall and the side wall when in use;
an isolator operatively associated with the peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce damping of the displacement oscillations, the isolator comprising a printed circuit material;
an electrochemical detection system being operable to detect the presence of a target gas in fluid that flows through the pump body;
a first aperture disposed at any location in either one of the end walls other than at the annular node and extending through the pump body;
a second aperture disposed at any location in the pump body other than the location of the first aperture and extending through the pump body; and,
a valve disposed in at least one of the first aperture and second aperture; whereby:
the displacement oscillations generate corresponding pressure oscillations of the fluid within the cavity of the pump body causing fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.
20. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system is coupled to conductive paths in the isolator.
21. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein first aperture and the second aperture are arranged to cause fluid to flow through the pump in a circuitous path.
22. The disc pump of claim 21, wherein:
the electrochemical detection system comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode; and
the circuitous path is disposed adjacent the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode such that fluid flows first over the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode.
23. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the target gas comprises a volatile organic compound.
24. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a metal oxide sensor.
25. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a printed polymeric material having electrical properties that change in the presence of the target gas.
26. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a polymeric material that is printed onto electrical contacts of the isolator.
27. The disc pump system of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises at least one electrode.
28. The disc pump system of claim 27, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the surface of the driven end wall within the cavity.
29. The disc pump system of claim 27, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the isolator within the end wall within the cavity.

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 adjustable exercise device comprising:
a handle including a first end member, said handle including a recess formed in said first end member,
a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said first end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said first end member of said handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof,
a plate engaged into said recess of said first end member, said plate including an orifice formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with said first spring biased latching element,
a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and including an aperture formed in said first base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said first base weight member, and said first base weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased latching element for pressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and said first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said first base weight member when said first spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said first base weight member to said first end member of said handle, and
a first button slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member and said first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased latching element from said first base weight member and for allowing said first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first end member of said handle.
2. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes a flange extended into said orifice of said plate, and said first spring biased latching element includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said flange of said plate and for limiting said first spring biased latching element to slide and move relative to said plate and for preventing said first spring biased latching element from being disengaged from said plate and said first end member of said handle.
3. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a cavity formed in said first end member for receiving and engaging with a spring biasing member of said first spring biased latching element.
4. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a second end member, a second spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said second end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said second end member of said handle, and an inclined surface formed and provided on top of said second spring biased latching element, a second base weight member having a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said second end member of said handle and for allowing said second base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said second end member of said handle, and having an aperture formed in said second base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said second base weight member, and said second base weight member is contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said second spring biased latching element for pressing said second spring biased latching element into said second end member of said handle and for allowing said second base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said second end member of said handle, and said second spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said second base weight member when said second spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said second base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said second base weight member to said second end member of said handle, and a second button slidably received and engaged in said second base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said second base weight member and said second spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said second spring biased latching element into said second end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said second spring biased latching element from said second base weight member and for allowing said second base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said second end member of said handle.
5. An adjustable exercise device comprising:
a handle including a first end member,
a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said first end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said first end member of said handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof,
a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and including an aperture formed in said first base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said first base weight member, and said first base weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased latching element for pressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and said first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said first base weight member when said first spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said first base weight member to said first end member of said handle, and
a first button slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member and said first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased latching element from said first base weight member and for allowing said first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first end member of said handle, said handle including a recess formed in said second end member, and a plate engaged into said recess of said second end member, and said plate includes an orifice formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with said second spring biased latching element.
6. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plate includes a flange extended into said orifice of said plate, and said second spring biased latching element includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said flange of said plate and for limiting said second spring biased latching element to slide and move relative to said plate and for preventing said second spring biased latching element from being disengaged from said plate and said second end member of said handle.
7. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said handle includes a cavity formed in said second end member for receiving and engaging with a spring biasing member of said second spring biased latching element.
8. An adjustable exercise device comprising:
a handle including a first end member,
a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said first end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said first end member of said handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof,
a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and including an aperture formed in said first base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said first base weight member, and said first base weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased latching element for pressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and said first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said first base weight member when said first spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said first base weight member to said first end member of said handle, and
a first button slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member and said first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased latching element from said first base weight member and for allowing said first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first end member of said handle, said first base weight member including a first spring biased catching element slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member, and selectively extendible out of said first base weight member, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top of said first spring biased catching element, an intermediate weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first base weight member and for allowing said intermediate weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first base weight member, and including an aperture formed in said intermediate weight member and communicating with said chamber of said intermediate weight member, and said intermediate weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased catching element for pressing said first spring biased catching element into said first base weight member and for allowing said intermediate weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first base weight member, and said first spring biased catching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said intermediate weight member when said first spring biased catching element is aligned with said aperture of said intermediate weight member for anchoring and retaining said intermediate weight member to said first base weight member.
9. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said intermediate weight member includes a second button slidably received and engaged in said intermediate weight member and aligned with said aperture of said intermediate weight member and said first spring biased catching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased catching element into said first base weight member, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased catching element from said intermediate weight member and for allowing said intermediate weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first base weight member.
10. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said intermediate weight member includes a compartment formed therein, a panel engaged into said compartment of said intermediate weight member and having a hole formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with said second button.
11. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said panel includes an inner peripheral flange extended into said hole thereof, and said second button includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said peripheral flange said panel and for limiting said second button to slide and move relative to said panel and for preventing said second button from being disengaged from said panel and said intermediate weight member.
12. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said intermediate weight member includes a second spring biased catching element slidably received and engaged in said intermediate weight member, and selectively extendible out of said intermediate weight member, and includes an inclined surface formed and provided on top of said second spring biased catching element, an outer weight member includes a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said intermediate weight member and for allowing said outer weight member to be attached and engaged onto said intermediate weight member, and includes an aperture formed in said outer weight member and communicating with said chamber of said outer weight member, and said outer weight member is contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said second spring biased catching element for pressing said second spring biased catching element into said intermediate weight member and for allowing said outer weight member to be attached and engaged onto said intermediate weight member, and said second spring biased catching element is biased to engage into said aperture of said outer weight member when said second spring biased catching element is aligned with said aperture of said outer weight member for anchoring and retaining said outer weight member to said intermediate weight member.
13. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said outer weight member includes a third button slidably received and engaged in said outer weight member and aligned with said aperture of said outer weight member and said second spring biased catching element for selectively depressing said second spring biased catching element into said intermediate weight member, and for selectively disengaging said second spring biased catching element from said outer weight member and for allowing said outer weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said intermediate weight member.
14. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said outer weight member includes a compartment formed therein, a panel engaged into said compartment of said outer weight member and having a hole for engaging with said third button.
15. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said panel includes an inner peripheral flange extended into said hole thereof, and said third button includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said peripheral flange said panel and for limiting said third button to slide and move relative to said panel.