A method of manufacturing an optical semiconductor device including: forming a mesa structure including a first conductivity type cladding layer, an active layer and a second conductivity type cladding layer in this order on a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate, an upper most surface of the mesa structure being constituted of an upper face of the second conductivity type cladding layer; growing a first burying layer burying both sides of the mesa structure at higher position than the active layer; forming an depressed face by etching both edges of the upper face of the second conductivity type cladding layer; and growing a second burying layer of the first conductivity type on the depressed face of the second conductivity type cladding layer and the first burying layer.

A manufacturing method for an excimer laser that includes a reflective Echelle diffraction grating includes obtaining information of a wavelength of a light source, a blazed order, a repetitive pitch of the grating, a material of the grating, and a predefined orientation ratio B/A that is a ratio between that a diffraction efficiency A of the blazed order and a diffraction efficiency Bb of an order lower by one order than the blazed order, and determining an initial value of a blaze angle based upon these pieces of information.

A terahertz light generation device 1 comprises a resonator structure 12 for intensifying incident light and outputting the intensified light and laser oscillation units 10, 11 for feeding the incident light into the resonator structure 12. The incident light comprises first and second incident light components having polarization states different from each other and frequencies different from each other. The laser oscillation units 10, 11 feed the resonator structure 12 with the first and second incident light components at an angle inclined from a principal surface in the resonator structure 12. The resonator structure 12 outputs light having a frequency corresponding to the difference between the respective frequencies of the first and second incident light components.

An EUV light generation system includes a driver laser comprising a master oscillator such as a semiconductor laser, a spatial filter, gas slab amplification devices, relay optical systems, and high-speed axial-flow amplifiers. The slab amplification devices include beam adjusting optical units disposed, respectively, at input and output sides of the slab amplifiers SA to convert the beam profile and/or polarization direction and/or an elongated direction of the beam profile with the slab amplifiers is parallel to a free space axis AF of the slab waveguides, i.e. parallel to the discharge electrodes.

A method for quasi-synchronous tuning of wavelength or frequency of grating external-cavity semiconductor laser and a corresponding semiconductor laser are provided. A grating or mirror is rotated around a quasi-synchronous tuning point (Pq) as rotation center, so as to achieve the frequency selections by grating and resonance cavity in quasi-synchronous tuning, wherein the angle of the line between the quasi-synchronous tuning point (Pq) and a conventional synchronous tuning point (P0) with respect to the direction of light incident on the grating is determined according to the angle difference between the incidence angle and diffraction angle of light on the grating. According to present invention, approximately synchronous tuning of laser is achieved with a simple and flexible design.

A method for generation of electromagnetic radiation has the following method steps: generation of electromagnetic radiation at a useful frequency,division of the electromagnetic radiation into a useful beam and a secondary beam,frequency shift of the electromagnetic radiation of the secondary beam,control of the useful frequency as determined by a manipulated variable, wherein the manipulated variable is derived from the frequency-shifted radiation of the secondary beam.

A method for fabricating a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device stably supplies laser cavity mirrors having a low lasing threshold current through the use of a semi-polar plane. A blade 5g is forced down through a first region ER1 to keep the first region ER1 squeezed between a support member H2 and a movable member H1 together with a part of a protective sheet TF in contact with the first region ER1 while the tension generated in the area of the protective sheet TF in contact with the first region ER1 with the movable member H1 increases until the semi-polar principal surface SF at an end face EG1 of the first region ER1 tilts by a deflection angle THETA from the semi-polar principal surface SF of a second region ER2, and a force is thereby generated in the first region ER1 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the blade 5g toward the first region ER1. For example, an angle ALPHA is within the range of 71 degrees to 79 degrees, and the deflection angle THETA is within the range of 11 to 19.

Singlet oxygen metastables can be formed. A catalytic coating is formed on an interior surface of a flow reactor, and an oxygen containing species is flowed into the flow reactor to produce singlet oxygen metastables by a chemical reaction in the presence of the catalytic coating.

A vertical geometry light emitting diode is disclosed that is capable of emitting light in the red, green, blue, violet and ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light emitting diode includes a conductive silicon carbide substrate, an InGaN quantum well, a conductive buffer layer between the substrate and the quantum well, a respective undoped gallium nitride layer on each surface of the quantum well, and ohmic contacts in a vertical geometry orientation.

A method for providing a feedback circuit for a three dimensional projector. First and second input devices and a sensor for determining the rotational speed of the second input device are provided. A control device for controlling the rotational speed of the second input device and a phase locked loop (PLL) are provided. A phase reference signal is created based on the signal rate of the first input device. A phase signal is created based on the rotational speed of the second input device. The PLL compares the phase reference signal and the phase feedback signal to determine whether the first input device and the second input device are synchronized. A signal is sent to the control device for the second input device to change the rotational speed of the second input device in response to determining that the first input device and the second input device are not synchronized.

A pulsed smaser includes at least one optical resonator and an optical pump. The at least one optical resonator includes opposing mirrors, a solid state gain medium having a masing frequency in a range of from about 50 GHz to about 1 THz, and a Q-switch, wherein the solid state gain medium and the Q-switch are optically arranged between the opposing mirrors. The optical pump is arranged to provide optical pump power to the solid state gain medium. The optical pump and the Q-switch are configured to generate pulsed masing in the solid state gain medium at the masing frequency at room temperature to provide output electromagnetic radiation at the masing frequency.

A method to tune an emission wavelength of a laser diode (LD) finely is disclosed. The method first controls a temperature of the etalon filter in T1 or T2, where the transmittance of the etalon filter becomes 40 to 50%, assuming a height between the peak and the bottom of the periodic transmittance to be 100%, at the grid wavelength λ1 or λ2, respectively. Then, the temperature of the LD is adjusted such that the intensity of light emitted from the LD and transmitted through the etalon filter becomes 40 to 50%.

Various embodiments of a photonic device and fabrication method thereof are provided. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate, a current confinement layer disposed on the substrate, an absorption layer disposed in the current confinement layer, and an electrical contact layer disposed on the absorption layer. The current confinement layer is doped in a pattern and configured to reduce dark current in the device. The photonic device may be a photodiode or a laser.

Improved brightness and feedback multi-emitter laser diode modules and methods are provided. A plurality of laser diode emitters emit broad-area light beams in a beam direction. In cross-section, each beam is broad in its slow axis and narrow in its fast axis. Groups of downstream optical components collimate, shape, stack and direct the beams along a light path towards a beam spot (which may be fiber-coupled). After collimating, stacking and directing, the beams are Fourier transformed in the fast-axis through a lens feature having a fast-axis focal length less than about 3 millimeters. In some embodiments, the fast-axis focal length is between about 0.1 and 2.0 millimeters. Astigmatism may be introduced between the fast axis and the slow axis in the beams upstream of the lens feature and in accordance with the fast axis focal length of the lens feature. The emitters may receive feedback including wavelength locking feedback.

A semiconductor laser produces infrared radiation suitable for jamming a heat seeking missile, wherein a wavelength of the radiation is in a range of 2-5 microns, and the laser has a semiconductor lasing medium of Pb1-xSexPb1-xSnxSe or Ga0.84In0.16As0.14Sb0.86. These materials can be doped to provide a p/n junction, wherein the laser is excitable by electric current passing through the p/n junction. The third one of these materials can be constructed also as a uniform undoped slab which is excitable optically. Cooling of the lasing medium is accomplished by use of a lithium heat sink thermally coupled to the lasing medium by a diamond thermal diffuser which conducts heat from the relatively small region of the laser to spread out the thermal energy along a relatively large surface of the heat sink. Modulation circuitry is connected to the excitation apparatus to provide a pulse train of the radiation.

A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises making a plurality of folds in a first direction in a sheet of paper; aking a plurality of folds in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to form folded articles; making another fold in said second direction to form an outsert including causing a movable member of a folding apparatus to make contact with and move an intermediate portion of a folded article towards a pair of adjustably-spaced folding members, at least one of said adjustably-spaced folding members having a position that is adjustable to allow said adjustably-spaced folding members to be adjustably spaced apart from each other by a distance that is within a range defined by a lower boundary of 0.25 inches and an upper boundary of 0.45 inches.

The present invention relates to a system and method for creating customized products using a product identification device. In some embodiments, the process involves receiving an aggregate order for yearbooks, creating a master list associated with the aggregate order and including single orders, associating at least one number with each single order, manufacturing a first portion of a yearbook for each single order with a first identifier associated with that portion and also being associated with the at least one number, manufacturing a second portion of the yearbook for the single order with a second identifier associated with that portion and also being associated with the at least one number, and combining the first portion with the second portion.

Disclosed are a scanner and an image reading apparatus including the same. The scanner can include a transparent plate, a scanning unit configured to scan a document on the transparent plate, a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is positioned in a first document zone that is associated with an area in which a first document type is to be positioned based on a first alignment reference point provided on the transparent plate. The second sensor is positioned in a second document zone that is associated with an area in which a second document type of a different size is positioned based on a second alignment reference point provided on the transparent plate. The first document zone and the second document zone are non-overlapping zones. The document type and/or orientation can be determined based on the detection signals from the first and second sensors.

A cover applier is provided. The cover applier includes a transport system transporting a book, a cover delivery delivering a cover to a book, the cover delivery driven by a servomotor, a book sensor detecting an image printed on the book prior to the cover being delivered to the book and a cover sensor detecting an image printed on the cover prior to the cover being delivered to the book. The servomotor adjusting the position of the cover with respect to the book as a function of the book sensor and cover sensor. A method is also provided.

A wire-bound product using a double type laminated paper board and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The wire-bound product employs a structure in which inner paper sheets are turned over in the rightward and leftward directions on front plates of a frame, instead a structure in which a plurality of inner paper sheets is turned over toward the rear surface of a frame, thereby allowing a user to see both surfaces of the inner paper sheets. Further, rear plates of the frame are inserted into various positions of a spring to support the front plates, thereby allowing a standing angle of the front plates of the frame to be adjustable.

A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.

An adhesive applicator is disclosed for the application of a hot melt adhesive to the spine of a book block so as to adhesively bind the book block to its respective cover so as to form a perfect bound book. The applicator has a heated head in which a small quantity of a hot melt adhesive sufficient to bind at least one book block to its cover is quickly heated to a temperature such that it may be applied to the spine. The head is brought into operative engagement with the spine and is moved with respect to the spine so that the melted adhesive forced (dispensed) out of the head onto the spine. This applicator is particularly well suited for use with print on demand book printing and binding apparatus. A method of applying the adhesive to the spine of a book block is also disclosed.

In an embodiment, a booklet conveying device includes: a pair of conveying units; a positioning unit; a pressing unit; and a conveying-force changing unit. The pair of conveying units convey a booklet made of a stack of folded sheets, and change a distance therebetween. The positioning unit positions the booklet by making a leading-end portion of the booklet abut thereto. The pressing unit presses the booklet positioned by the positioning unit onto one of the conveying units in order to fix. The conveying-force changing unit changes the conveying force exerted by the conveying units.

Method and device for manufacturing adhesively bound printed products composed of a book block and a cover, in which the book block is conducted past processing stations of the adhesive binding device for processing and applying glue to its back. A cover is supplied to the back to which glue has been applied in a synchronously timed controlled manner. After merging of the cover with the book block, a measuring procedure for measuring a mutual actual position of cover relative to book block. Subsequently, this actual position is compared to a predetermined desired position, and, in the case of deviations, a correction value is determined and stored. Prior to the renewed occurrence of the pairing of drive member and clamp, an appropriate change of the mutual positions of clamp and drive member is carried out.

Theres is disclosed a device (10) for manufacturing a notepad (15) comprising a stack of sheets, a first side of each sheet having an adhesive to attach the first side to a reverse face of a sheet immediately facing said first side in said stack. The device (10) including a sheet feeder (20) for loading one or more loose sheets (24) of similar dimensions with the reverse face of each sheet (24) in said stack facing in the same direction and feeding each said sheet downstream of said device (10). A cutting means (40) is provided to cut each sheet (24) or a number of said sheets (24) to predetermined dimensions. An adhesive applicator (60) applies adhesive to a portion or portions of the first side of each sheet (24). A stacking means (100) stacks the cut sheets one on top of the other whereby a forming means (120) forms the cut sheets together to form the notepad (15).

In order to form stacks, of which each forms a book block, folded sheets are provided with an adhesive application or layer of adhesive before they are placed on one another. Said adhesive application is applied to the sheets adjacent to the folded edge of said sheets and extends in the direction of said folded edge which comes to lie in the spine of the book block. The adhesive can be applied as a continuous track or as a track which is interrupted multiple times, or else in a punctiform manner. The sheets are joined to one another in the stack by means of said adhesive application, with the result that they maintain their position within the stack during further transport of the stack.

Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the depth of a layer of a layer of adhesive on a peripheral surface of a rotary member (e.g., a wheel) for the application of the adhesive to an object. The apparatus comprises a heated reservoir containing a supply of hot melt adhesive maintained within a desired temperature range, where the rotary member is partially immersed in the adhesive and is rotated by a motor such that the as the rotary member is rotated up out of the peripheral surface of the rotary member has the layer of adhesive thereon. A computer controls system controls the motor such that the speed of the rotary member may be increased or decreased so as to vary the depth of the adhesive on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.

There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a first sheet feed unit, a thickness detecting unit, a decolorability determining unit, and a second sheet feed unit. The first sheet conveying unit conveys the sheet to the decoloring unit. The first sheet feed unit feeds the sheet to the first sheet conveying unit. The decolorability determining unit determines whether or not the sheet which is subject to thickness detecting is decolorable by the decoloring unit based on a detection result in the thickness detecting unit. A second sheet feed unit is disposed at a downstream side in relation to the thickness detecting unit and at an upstream side in relation to the decoloring unit in a sheet conveying path by the first sheet conveying unit and feeds the sheet to the first sheet conveying unit.

A book binding machine includes a collating machine, a perfect binder and a transfer device disposed between the collating machine and the perfect binder. The collating machine and the perfect binder are actuated by a common control device. In each case, one transport segment is assigned to a respective book block clamp by the control device. The control device also has a program which, if a defective or missing book block clamp is detected, actuates the collating machine in such a way that no book block is collated for that book block clamp. A method for operating a book binding machine is also provided.

Methods for creating customized children's storybooks with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready templates stored in association with a software application on a desktop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. The methods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompted discussions that elicit responses from the child to create text for the storybook. The text may be generated by speech recognition software processing digital audio recordings of the child's responses. A digital image of the child's fingerprint is acquired and the fingerprint image and/or the storybook scenes are scaled to fit each other. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate the creation of fingerprint art. A completed page image is formed by digitally inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-shaped area, and if desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. When the scenes are completed the software application compiles the book pages and prints the same.

A machine for attachment of a cover to a book block comprises a press plate elevating mechanism for elevating a press plate 8, a nip plate drive mechanism for sliding nip plates 9 and 10, and a controller 30 controlling the press plate elevating mechanism and the nip plate drive mechanism. The press plate 8 elevates from the lower standby position to an upper press position. The press plate 8 presses the cover 12 to the book block 4 at the upper press position. The cover 12 is attached to the book block 4 by pressing the cover 12 to the lower end surface of the book block 4. The press plate 8 is elevated from the intermediate position to the upper press position, staying at the intermediate position during a waiting time for adjustment. The press plate 8 elevates from the intermediate position to the upper press position.

A method and a device for pressing a book block over the rounded back of a book block having a longitudinal axis extending in the center and along the back. The book block is clamped between two clamping jaws of a clamping device, in a region adjacent to the back of the book block, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back. A pressing device presses a pressing member against the back, wherein the pressing member is placed approximately in the center of the back onto the book block back. At least a section of the pressing member is then moved across the back. Once the pressing member, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back, is placed onto the back it then moves along at least one continuously preselected movement path over the back.

A female thread member capable of preventing seizing caused by inclined insertion, and being smoothly fastened from any directions in which a bolt is inserted, and a fastening member using the female thread member. A non-thread portion is formed on an inner peripheral surface of a female thread member body having a female thread for a length corresponding to at least one pitch from an end surface on a bolt-inserting side, and a projection which comes into contact with a flank surface of a male thread of an inserted bolt is formed on a line extending from a helical line of the female thread. The female thread member is used in combination with the bolt having no incomplete thread portion, and there is no adverse possibility of seizing regardless of any directions in which the bolt is inserted.

The blind rivet for fastening together a plurality of mounted components with mounting holes comprises a rivet body having a sleeve, a flange and a through hole; a mandrel having a slender stem and a head; and a washer. The head of the mandrel is adjacent to the sleeve-side end portion of the rivet body, the stem of the mandrel extends through the rivet body from the flange-side end portion, and the washer is mounted near the flange on the outer periphery of the sleeve of the rivet body. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve adjacent to the flange is swaged to form a recessed portion so that the diameter in the other position is enlarged. The washer is pushed onto the enlarged-diameter portion and secured. The mounted components are fastened together between the enlarged end portion of the sleeve and the washer.

A fastening element includes a holding part with a support plate and expanding cheeks, and a locking part guidingly received in the holding part. The expanding cheeks include cantilevered walls formed adjacent the support plate, which are offset radially outwardly with respect to a guide wall of the support plate which guides the locking part. The locking part can be pushed through the support plate substantially without force until it reaches inwardly protruding ramp projections formed on the expanding cheeks, which provide a better lever ratio for spreading the expanding cheeks.

A manufacturing method and device for supporting conductors. Using a non-metallic insulating material extending beyond one or both parallel legs of a staple the thumb and forefinger may grip this extension while the staple is being driven into a supporting structure. This finger grip allows for a small, insulated staple to be held with increased safety to thumb and forefinger during penetration of staple into support.

Bushing assemblies include a first tubular end portion, a second tubular end portion, and a middle tubular portion. The middle tubular portion has a longitudinal compressive strength that is less than that of the end portions. In some embodiments, the middle tubular portion is constructed of braided sleeving. Also disclosed are bushing assembly kits, apparatuses that include bushing assemblies, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushing assemblies.

A grommet includes a shaft body, and a main body having a head and a leg spread by the shaft body pressed from a side of the head with elastic deformation. The shaft body includes a first contacting portion that contacts a contacted portion of the leg by pressing, and a second contacting portion located in a rear of the first contacting portion in the pressing direction, and a part of the leg is spread by the first contacting portion and then, another part of the leg is spread by further pressing the shaft body.

A method for applying compression to a joint includes providing an intramedullary fixation assembly having a proximal screw member positioned at a proximal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly and a lag screw member positioned at a distal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly. Medullary canals are drilled in a first and second bone and the medullary canals are reamed. The proximal screw member is inserted into the first bone and a drill is used create a dorsal hole in the first bone. The lag screw member is slideably coupled to the dorsal hole and to the proximal screw member and into the second medullary canal. A torque is applied to the lag screw member to apply compression to the joint.

A screw with anti-loosening means, which includes a securing element with a ring portion and that can be inserted about a shaft of the screw under a head thereof and, with the screw in a state in which it is screwed on a base, prevents the screw from being turned back counter to a screwing-in direction. The securing element has on the ring portion, on a side facing the surface of the base, at least one projection which can be pressed into the surface when screwing in the screw. The securing element can have an outer circumferential region of the ring portion, with finger-like extensions which, with the securing element in the inserted state, extend along the circumference of the head and under spring-elastic forces of the securing element, contact a surface structure of the body that has an inhibiting action counter to the screwing-in direction. The extensions can have inwardly bent-off end portions which engage over the head, or a circumferential portion thereof protruding radially thereon, on an upper side thereof facing away from the shaft.

A fastener for attaching objects to channeled members wherein the objects have a hole extending therethrough and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. The fastener includes a button and a retainer. The button includes an abutment wall, an abutment surface and an axially extending slot. The retainer includes an engagement boss and a head at opposite ends of shaft. The retainer extends through the button slot. For attaching the object, the button extends through the object hole with the abutment wall adjacent the object and the abutment surface adjacent the channeled member. The retainer boss and part of the shaft extend through the longitudinal slot. The retainer is rotated for engaging the longitudinal walls with the boss. The longitudinal walls are sandwiched between the boss and the button abutment surface and the object is sandwiched between the channeled member and the button abutment wall.

A method and apparatus for an insulating cover for fasteners. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a washer and a cover. The washer is capable of receiving a fastener. The cover is capable of being secured to the insulating washer, wherein an insulating volume is created with the cover secured to the washer.

A nut assembly and a holddown assembly using the nut assembly are described, including methods of manufacture and assembly. The nut assembly may include a body portion having first and second openings with an internal wall extending between them. A rotation-inhibiting wall may be included between the first and second openings. A nut portion configured to move axially within the internal wall of the body portion includes structures for co-acting with a rotation-inhibiting wall to limit or prevent rotation of the body portion and the nut portion relative to each other. A nut portion and a body portion extending around the nut portion have limited axial movement relative to each other due to axial engagement between adjacent surfaces on the nut portion and the body portion.

A system and method for positioning a tool. The system includes a base member configured to contact a first decking member and a second decking member; at least one base guide including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the base member, the at least one base guide configured to position the base member relative to the first decking member and the second decking member; and an adjustable section coupled to the base member, the adjustable section configured to allow adjustment of at least one of a position and an angle of the tool relative to the base member. The system further includes a fastener configured to secure the first and/or second decking members to a joist.

An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin.

In a mobile terminal having a security function, both convenience and security protection are realized so as to prevent a user from feeling bothersome. A mobile phone has an operation control unit which sets the operation of various functions of the mobile terminal to be unusable at any timing. When a used state determination unit determines that the mobile phone is not in an abnormal state and not left, the operation control unit controls operation of the various functions to maintain usable states.

Panel fasteners, panel assemblies, methods of assembly and installation of panel assemblies and panel fasteners, anchor systems, anchor systems with captive fasteners and assemblies are disclosed.

A threaded connector for securing a panel member to a structure and for adjusting the position of the panel member relative to the structure. The connector comprises an elongate one-piece stud, a first spacer, a threaded nut, a second spacer and a turning formation. The connector permits the panel member to be mounted on the stud and the stud to be rotated to adjust the position of the panel member relative to the structure.

A connecting arrangement is provided between a plastic component with at least two mutually adjacent and at least approximately parallel walls and another structural element, having at least one force-transmission element which is adhesively bonded to the plastic component via an adhesive bond on the plastic component in frusto-conical or spherical-segment-shaped depressions in the mutually adjacent walls of the plastic component. The force-transmission element has a carrying structure for the other structural element. With the exception of a possibly provided coating, the force-transmission element is composed only of metallic material and has a plate which is adapted to the depression in the outer wall of the plastic component, which outer wall is adjacent to the other structural element. The edge of the plate rests with interposition on the outer wall in the surrounding region of the depression, wherein the plate is connected via a web to an end section of the force-transmission element, which end section is adapted to the depression in the other inner wall of the plastic component. The depression is configured in the outer wall without a bottom to such an extent that the end section of the force-transmission element can be inserted through the outer wall into the recess of the inner wall.

A shift register and driving method thereof, a gate driving apparatus and a display apparatus, the shift register comprises a pulling-up unit(21), a precharging and resetting unit(22), an output signal terminal at present stage(OUTPUT), a pulling-down unit(23), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at previous stage(OUTF), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at next stage(OUTL), and a scan control signal input terminal(INPUT), wherein: the precharging and resetting unit(22) precharges a gate of a first thin film transistor(T1) included in the pulling-up unit(21) and resets its potential; the pulling-down unit(23) pulls down a potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1) and the output signal at present stage after the precharging and resetting unit(22) resets the potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1), so that the pulling-up unit(21) is turned off and the output signal at present stage is at a low level. The present shift register realizes a bidirectional gate driving scan from up to down or from down to up by a conversion control for high-low levels of input signals.