Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiping element for contact with a windshield within a predetermined attack angle range of ±10° perpendicular relative to the surface to be wiped. The wiper assembly further includes two elongated beams that are engaged to the wiping element and apply a downward force thereto. The wiper assembly also includes a connecting member mounted to the elongated beams. The wiper assembly also includes an airfoil that has an attachment portion attached to the elongated beams and an upper portion that is attached to the attachment portion. The upper portion includes a wing having a facing surface and a trailing surface that extend outwardly from the upper portion at converging angles to improve wind lift resistance and reduce drag.

Abstract: A method of determining opening of an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, the method including the steps of: determining the time pattern of an intake pressure in an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, the time pattern of the rotation speed of a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine, or the time pattern of a voltage at the terminals of a battery of the internal combustion engine; determining an intake-frequency component of the intake pressure, the rotation speed, or the voltage; and determining opening of the intake valve as a function of the intake-frequency component of the intake pressure, and also as a function of the intake-frequency component of the rotation speed or voltage.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for a vehicle having a receiver for pulling an object or being pulled. The attachment assembly includes a support member for connection to the receiver and an attachment member connected to the support member to provide both pivotal and rotational movement.

Abstract: A shoe mounts an outer spring defining a longitudinal direction and an inner spring arranged within the outer spring. The outer and inner springs define corresponding end sides of the outer and inner springs, and the shoe defines an end side of the shoe. A spring-position limitation limits the outer spring in its longitudinal direction and enables the inner spring to emerge at the end side of the shoe out of the outer spring. A driver primary element exerts a pressure on the inner spring as the driver approaches the outer and inner springs in a direction of the corresponding end sides of the outer and inner springs.

Abstract: An apparatus for an inclinable support of a speaker on a rod includes a sleeve for receiving an end portion of the rod provided with a closed head section, a mounting device adapted to be attached to the speaker having an elongated opening formed as a guidance for the sleeve and a bearing spaced apart from the opening, in which the sleeve with the head section is supported pivotally, and at least one locking device for the sleeve provided in the region of the opening.

Abstract: A telescopic mast system includes a telescopic mast comprising a plurality of telescopic mast sections and a drive mechanism for extending and retracting the telescopic mast sections. The drive mechanism includes a rigid chain having one end connected to a last one of the telescopic mast sections to move the telescopic mast sections and a plurality of guide plates cooperating with the telescopic mast sections to prevent buckling of the rigid chain.

Abstract: A cable guiding device includes a base, upper and lower guide members disposed along a longitudinal direction, in which two ends of the upper guide member are mounted on the base and two ends of the lower guide member are mounted on the base. A slider defining a central cavity is penetrated therethrough in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Upper and lower movable members are fitted slidably over the upper and lower guide members respectively, in which two ends of the upper movable member are mounted on two longitudinal side walls of the slider, and two ends of the lower movable member are mounted on two longitudinal side walls of the slider respectively. Upper and lower guiding rollers are fitted rotatably over the upper and lower movable members and disposed within the central cavity respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wiper blade system that includes a wiper blade assembly having a wiping element, at least one elongated beam and a carrier that is operatively engaged to the elongated beam. The wiper blade assembly further includes an airfoil and a coupler assembly having a coupler and an adapter that is removably attached to the coupler. The coupler is removably secured the carrier and includes a corridor having a cross member extending therethrough that operatively receives the adapter. Together, the coupler and adapter facilitate mounting the wiper blade assembly to wiper arms having different wiper arm attachment members.

Abstract: A sunshade device for a vehicle includes a sunshade cloth that has two opposite lateral ends inserted respectively into two track rails, a fixed end fixed to a winding shaft assembly, and a pull end interconnecting the lateral ends oppositely of the fixed end. A cross bar is attached to the pull end and extends between the track rails. A tensioning unit includes a spring disposed within the cross bar, a buffer sleeve disposed around the spring, and two tension cords each having an intermediate section attached to one of two lateral ends of the sunshade cloth, a first end section connected to one end of the spring, and a second end section connected to the winding shaft assembly. The tension cords prevent the sunshade cloth from becoming slack.

Abstract: A locking differential for an automotive vehicle including a housing and a differential mechanism supported in the housing. The differential mechanism includes a pair of clutch members where each of the clutch members presents an inwardly directed face. Each face includes a groove disposed in spacing relationship with respect to the other. A cross pin is received in the grooves and is operatively connected for rotation with the housing. The clutch members are axially moveable within the housing so that they may engage respective clutch members coupled to a pair of axle half shafts. Each of the grooves in the clutch members defines a first predetermined radius of curvature. The cross pin defines a second radius of curvature wherein the first radius of curvature of the groove is greater than the second radius of curvature of the cross pin such that contact between the cross pin and the groove defines a line extending along the axis of the cross pin.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing laminated bamboo sliver lumber comprises steps of: preparing bamboo slivers; performing moth-proofing, mildew-proofing, and antiseptic treatments to the bamboo slivers and then drying the bamboo slivers to a moisture content of about 6-15%; machining each dried bamboo sliver to a thickness of about 0.5-3.5 mm (0.02-0.14 in) and a width of about 5-22 mm (0.20-0.87 in) and then dehumidifying the machined bamboo slivers to a moisture content of about 3-10%; applying a glue to the bamboo slivers by glue-coating or “immerging” process, in which a ratio of the glue to an absolute dry weight of the bamboo slivers is about 3-16%; and arranging the glued bamboo slivers with their “width” direction consistent with the “vertical” direction and then pressing the arranged bamboo slivers and curing the glue under a “side” pressure of about 3-15 MPa (0.44-2.18 ksi) and a “top” pressure of about 1-6 MPa (0.15-0.87 ksi) so as to form the laminated bamboo sliver lumber.

Abstract: An extending and retracting device for a vehicle step includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed to a body of a vehicle and a step bracket. An arc sliding member is fixed to the step bracket. A driving arm defines a pair of ends thereof pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and step bracket, respectively. A supporting arm defines an upper end portion thereof pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a lower end portion of the supporting arm defining at least one arc slot of the lower end portion. The arc sliding member is adapted to fit into the arc slot so as to be slidable in the arc slot such that the lower end portion of the supporting arm is slidably connected to the step bracket.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a drive-side primary element having at least one primary dog, an output-side secondary element having at least one secondary dog, and at least one spring device between the primary and secondary dogs for spring-elastic coupling of the primary element to the secondary element and including a plurality of spring elements. A separator sheet includes a ring element. At least one sliding block extends from the ring element between adjacent spring elements and is arranged circumferentially about the spring elements. The primary element has also an inner part having an external toothing, an outer part on which the primary dog is arranged and having an internal toothing engaging into the external toothing, and at least one damping part arranged between the external and internal toothing for vibration damping between the inner and outer parts.

Abstract: An illumination device (11) for a motor vehicle includes a transparent light guide (13). At least a first decoupling element (33) is formed into the light guide (13). At least one reflector (35) is assigned to the first decoupling element (33) for reflection of light coupled-out by the first decoupling element (33) and aligned and formed in such a way that at least a portion of the light reflected by the reflector (35) irradiates the light guide (13). At least one second decoupling element (37) is formed in the light guide (13) for coupling-out of light from the light guide (13) and aligned and formed in such a way that light coupled-out by the second decoupling element (37) ultimately exits the light guide (13).

Abstract: A windshield wiper arm assembly that is adapted to support a wiper blade as it moves across a surface to be wiped. The windshield wiper arm assembly includes a body and a head supported by the body and adapted to be mounted to a pivot shaft that defines a pivot axis P and drives the wiper blade in an oscillating manner across the surface to be wiped. The body also includes an opening providing access to the head mounted to the pivot shaft. A cover is mounted to the body at the opening and is movable about an axis A substantially parallel to the pivot axis P from a first position closing the opening to a second position allowing access to the head.

Abstract: A stringed instrument defines a hollow volume and includes at least one string. A tremolo assembly of the stringed instrument is adapted to vary tension in the string and comprises a tone block disposed within the hollow volume and operatively connected to the string. An arm extends from the tone block and is disposed within the volume of space. A handle extends from the arm and is spaced from the tone block and adapted to be displaced relative to the arm to operatively cause the tone block to correspondingly vary the tension in the string. A bridge plate is attached to the stringed instrument, connected to the string and tone block, and operatively connected to the arm. A connection mechanism operatively connects the bridge plate to the arm and is adapted to pull the bridge plate away from and toward the stringed instrument to correspondingly vary the tension upon the displacement.