Abstract: An extending and retracting device for a vehicle step includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body and a step bracket adapted to be connected to a step member of the vehicle step. First and second arms each defines a lower end portion connected to the step bracket and an upper end portion. A third arm defines an upper end portion rotatably connected to the mounting bracket and a lower end portion rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the first or second arm. The upper end portion of the other of the first or second arm is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. At least one arc-sliding member is mounted to the step bracket. At least one arc slot is formed in the lower end portion of the second arm. The arc-sliding member is adapted to fit into the corresponding arc slot so as to be slidable in the arc slot so that the lower end portion of the second arm is rotatable with respect to the step bracket.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for use in connection with a wiper arm attachment member having a transversely extending pin and bent tab. The wiper assembly includes a wiping element and a superstructure having first and second longitudinal ends. The wiper assembly further includes first and second airfoils attached to the superstructure between an intermediate position and the longitudinal ends. The wiper assembly further includes a coupler attached to the superstructure and disposed between the first and second airfoils. The coupler includes first and second sidewalls, a deck that extends from the first sidewall and a rail that extends from the deck. The deck and rail of the wiper assembly cooperate to define a side-saddle that facilitates low-profile attachment to a wiper arm attachment member for reducing the likelihood of wind lift and lateral movement between the wiper arm attachment member and the wiper assembly.

Abstract: A beam blade wiper assembly including a rubber wiping element and an elongated beam having first and second longitudinal ends. The wiper assembly also includes an airfoil having an attachment portion and an upper portion extending between first and second distal ends. The attachment portion includes a flat rib and a pair of legs adapted to operatively engage the rubber wiping element. The upper portion includes a solid base having a leading edge that extends from the base toward the wiping element. The base and the rib define a space that receives the elongated beam. The base and the elongated beam define a cavity that provides flexibility between the upper portion and the attachment portion during wiper operation. The upper portion further includes a spoiler that extends from the base in a manner opposite to the leading edge.

Abstract: An adjustable wall-hanger assembly comprises a hanger adapted to be secured to a wall and defining an opening, a body section, an upper section, a top level, and a bottom level. A hanger slide is mounted to the hanger, is adapted to slide continuously in a substantially horizontal or vertical direction in the opening, and defines a slot extending in substantially the other of the horizontal or vertical direction. A mounting fastener is received through the slot and adapted to slide continuously therealong and be fastened to the wall to mount the assembly thereto. A combination of the continuous horizontal and vertical sliding of the hanger slide and mounting fastener allows for substantially infinite placement of the mounting fastener in the opening. A hanger hook is fixedly connected to and extends outwardly from the hanger and substantially overlies the opening for supporting an object hung on the hanger hook.

Abstract: A diffuser for an aeration system includes a base, a valve member, and a diaphragm. The diaphragm has a central portion, a peripheral portion, and a surrounding segment. The surrounding segment is interposed between the central portion and the peripheral portion, and includes a base web layer and a porous foam layer. The base web layer includes a plurality of fibrous filaments arranged to form a textured structure with a plurality of pores. The porous foam layer is disposed on the base web layer.

Abstract: A container loading apparatus for a truck (10) comprises a first pair of opposed container attachment arms (14) and a second pair of opposed secondary support arms (22), rotatable about horizontal axes from a stowed position in which the container attachment arms (14) and the secondary support arms (22) are disposed substantially beneath a loaded container, the secondary support arms (22) being rotatable relative to the truck (10) by first actuation rams (30) and the container attachment arms (14) rotatable relative to the secondary support arms (22) by second actuation rams (32).

Abstract: A device for dispensing a pre-measured amount of material from a container having a closed bottom, a mouth opening and a side wall. The device includes a discharge tube and a measuring reservoir pivotably attached to a lower end of the discharge tube for capturing a pre-determined amount of material. The reservoir is pivotable from a first position in which the reservoir is substantially parallel to the discharge tube to a second position in which the discharge tube and the reservoir are substantially perpendicular to one another. With the reservoir in the first position, the reservoir and the discharge tube are insertable into a container having a relatively narrow mouth opening. With the reservoir in the second position, the discharge opening of the reservoir communicates with an opening in the second end of the discharge tube, in a dispensing ready position.

Abstract: A fastener assembly securely fastens a decorative panel in spaced relation to a support backing. The fastener assembly includes a base member adapted to be operatively mounted to the decorative panel, a carrier member, and a fastening medium supported by the carrier member and adapted to operatively interconnect the carrier member to the support backing. At least one biasing member is adapted to operatively support the carrier member and provide swiveling articulation of the carrier member relative to the base member. At least one leg extends from the base member and is adapted to operatively engage the carrier member so as to attach the carrier member to the base member in articulating fashion.

Abstract: An adjustable picture-hanger assembly comprises a hanger adapted to be secured to a wall and defining a substantially central opening of an interior of the hanger. A hanger slide is movably mounted to the hanger, is adapted to slide continuously substantially rotationally in the opening of the hanger, and defines a slot of an interior of the hanger slide. A mounting fastener is received through the slot of the hanger slide and adapted to slide continuously along the slot and be fastened to the wall to mount the assembly to the wall. A combination of the continuous substantially rotational sliding of the hanger slide and continuous sliding of the mounting fastener allows for substantially infinite placement of the mounting fastener in the opening of the hanger. A hanger hook is fixedly connected to and extends outwardly from the hanger and overlies the opening of the hanger for supporting an object hung on the hanger hook.

Abstract: A dental instrument shaft for a rotating instrument made of a ceramic material includes a cylindrical shaft end having a center axis and a flat driving area arranged in parallel to the center axis, wherein a groove having a cross-section shaped as a pitch circle is formed at a transition region of the driving area to the cylindrical shaft end.

Abstract: A test apparatus for an evaporative emission system includes a source of pressure (positive or negative), a sensor for sensing the pressure generated in the evaporative emission system, and an ECU which controls the operation of the source of pressure and receives signals from the sensor reporting the pressure in the vehicle evaporative emission system over time. The ECU compares the sensed data with the stored data representing standard baseline sample vehicles without any leaks to determine the presence of a leak in the evaporative emission system.

Abstract: A method of measuring the condition of a safety valve includes measuring a condition parameter that varies with the sealing force of the valve. The condition parameter may be determined from in-line measurements, such as measurements of a pressure pso at which the valve will open and a pressure psl at which the valve will leak.

Abstract: A beam blade wiper assembly including a rubber wiping element and an elongated beam having first and second longitudinal ends. The wiper assembly also includes an airfoil having an attachment portion and an upper portion extending between first and second distal ends. The attachment portion includes a flat rib and a pair of legs adapted to operatively engage the rubber wiping element. The upper portion includes a solid base having a leading edge that extends from the base toward the wiping element. The base and the rib define a space that receives the elongated beam. The base and the elongated beam define a cavity that provides flexibility between the upper portion and the attachment portion during wiper operation. The upper portion further includes a spoiler that extends from the base in a manner opposite to the leading edge.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having at least one hydraulic valve with flow force compensation. The hydraulic valve includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.

Abstract: An air-filter assembly is adapted to be used with a velocity stack of a carburetor of an internal-combustion engine of an automobile. The air-filter assembly includes a generally hollow air-filter member defining an open face, a closed face, and a side connected to and extending between the open and closed faces of the air-filter member. The closed face and side define an air-inlet end, an air-discharge end disposed opposite the air-inlet end, and an air filter arranged between the air-inlet and air-discharge ends. The air-inlet end is adapted to permit air to flow therethrough from exterior the air-filter assembly. The air filter is adapted to remove impurities entrained in the airflow and permit the filtered air to flow therethrough. The air-discharge end is adapted to permit the filtered air to flow therethrough into the velocity stack.

Abstract: The present invention is a breakaway mounting bracket assembly for a wiper system that displaces components of the wiper system below the impact line of a vehicle in the event of, for example, a vehicle-pedestrian impact. The assembly includes a mounting bracket and a grommet removably attached to the mounting bracket. The assembly also includes a ferrule disposed within the grommet that includes a column having an internal passage and a platform connected to the column by a plurality of bridges disposed therebetween. The assembly also includes an attachment member to connect the mounting bracket to the vehicle where the attachment member includes a body engaged to the internal passage. The mounting bracket is adapted to break away from attachment with the grommet in the event of a predetermined load acting on a pivot shaft assembly and to displace the pivot shaft assembly and a portion of the wiper arm below the vehicle's impact line in the event of a pedestrian impact.

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly includes a first end and a second end having bore extending therethrough and adapted to be aligned with a piston pin bore and receive a piston pin. The second end further includes a terminal end and has a reduced width configuration. The reduced width configuration is formed by machining a pair of channels that are formed on opposite sides of the second end between each channel and the terminal end. The bushing includes at least partially annular grooves disposed on the contact surface along at least a portion of opposed distal ends, where the grooves substantially eliminate the need for the small end to undergo a deburring process after the second end is machined to provide a reduced width configuration.

Abstract: A braking device for a winch comprises a braking bush, a brake driving shaft having one end connected to an output shaft of the motor and another end of the brake driving shaft having a first axial protrusion. A brake driven shaft defines an end rotatably disposed in the braking bush and having a second axial protrusion opposed to the first axial protrusion. A brake shoe is disposed between the first axial protrusion and the second axial protrusion. An elastic member is connected to the second axial protrusion and the brake shoe and normally urges the brake shoe toward the first axial protrusion. A winch having the braking device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit cabling system for a crash test dummy includes at least one centralized data-receiving unit. The flexible printed circuit cabling system also includes a plurality of sensors arranged remotely from the at least one centralized data receiving unit to generate electrical signals of data pertaining to a vehicular collision. The flexible printed circuit cabling system further includes a plurality of flexible printed circuit cables electrically interconnecting the sensors and the at least one centralized data receiving unit to transmit the electrical signals from the sensors to the at least one centralized data receiving unit.