Abstract: A folding tonneau cover including a first substantially rigid panel having a laterally-extending front edge at least partially defined by an elongate edge rail, and a second substantially rigid panel having a laterally-extending rear edge at least partially defined by an elongate edge rail, the first and second panels having opposed exterior and interior sides. The first and second panels substantially lie in a plane when the cover is unfolded, the first and second panel exterior sides generally facing in a direction away from a first side of the plane when the cover is unfolded, the first and second panel exterior sides adjacently superposed when the cover is folded. The cover includes a hinge assembly having substantially rigid first and second portions pivotally connected together along a first pivot axis located on the one side of the plane, the hinge first portion affixed to the first panel edge rail, the hinge second portion affixed to the second panel edge rail.

Abstract: A process of obtaining a thermoplastic composition formed from a polyolefin matrix is disclosed. The polyoelfin matrix comprises a polypropylene The process comprises (a) the formation of a viscoelastic mixture of the polypropylene and the lamellar mineral by heating and kneading the composition at a temperature at least equal to the working temperature of the polypropylene, (b) submitting the viscoelastic mixture to thermo-mechanical work, (c) eliminating volatile components from the viscoelastic mixture, and (d) transforming the viscoelastic mixture resulting from step (c) into a granulated material. The viscoelastic mixture is subjected during steps (a) and (b) to a weak and controlled rate of shearing of no more than 200 s?1 and the viscoelastic mixture is subjected in step (b) to at least one cycle of extension and relaxation in a dedicated zone which is at least 25% of the total length of at least one screw of a compounding extruder.

Abstract: The present invention has features in that a lithium transition metal silicate obtained by sintering a mixture containing a transition metal compound containing at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni; a lithium compound; and a silicon-based polymer compound, is used as a positive electrode material for a secondary battery. The lithium transition metal silicate of the present invention has a high lithium occlusion and release efficiency per unit amount of a transition metal. A secondary battery in which the cost is low, stability and safety are high, and superior charge and discharge characteristics are exhibited can be provided.

Abstract: A structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like is bedded in a concrete footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The column assembly includes a post whose bottom end is suspended above a floor of the hole by a stilt. The stilt includes a plurality of legs which extend from the post's bottom end and grip the hole floor through a plurality of cleats. The cleats help stabilize the column assembly during the concrete pour operation so that it does not shift out of position. The stilt legs are provided with a base pad, which is set below the bottom end of the post at a predetermined distance so that the concrete footing can be poured in a single operation immediately after the hole is formed. The stilt can accommodate posts made from wood, pre-cast concrete or any other known construction material. The stilts can be manufactured from formed flat steel or commercially available angle iron and channel stock.

Abstract: A hybrid photovoltaic cell module includes a substrate and a photopolymer composition disposed on the substrate. The photopolymer composition includes an organic photopolymer, a plurality of nanoparticles, and a dendrimer that disperses the nanoparticles in the composition. The dendrimer has a number average molecular weight of from 300 to 10,000 g/mol and a core having a carbon atom directly bonded to X1 and X2 and two —CH2 groups. X1 is a hydrogen atom, a functional group, or a chain including a functional group. X2 is a chain including a functional group that is the same or different from the functional groups of X1. Each —CH2 group is bonded to a chain that independently includes a functional group that is the same or different from said functional groups of X1 and X2. The module is formed using a method that includes the step of disposing the photopolymer composition on the substrate.

Abstract: A metal particle dispersion structure characteristically comprising (B) 0.005 to 100 weight parts of metal nanoparticles dispersed in (A) 100 weight parts of polymerized polymer, wherein the metal nanoparticles are metal particles obtained by mixing (b1) organohydrogenpolysiloxane and (b2) at least one metal compound which is soluble in component (b3) to uniformity in (b3) cyclic or chain dimethylpolysiloxane or at least one organic solvent.

Abstract: A control valve for a fluid flow circuit comprises a body that has a fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets (20, 22, 24) and that defines an axisymmetric housing for a modulating member capable of rotating about an axis of rotation (XX) and adopting different angular positions to control the distribution of the fluid through the outlets. The body comprises a side wall (16) into which the fluid outlets open. The side wall (16) and/or the modulating member comprises sunken areas (EV) and non-sunken areas (CR), the sunken areas (EV) serving to reduce the surface area of the modulating member (26) in contact with the side wall (16).

Abstract: A method of preparing a diluted chain extended organopolysiloxane containing polymer comprising the steps of reacting a pre-formed polymer with a suitable chain extender reactable with terminal groups of the polymer in the presence of a diluent material, a suitable catalyst and optionally an end-blocking agent; and Where required quenching the polymerization process wherein the diluent material is substantially retained within the resulting diluted organopolysiloxane containing polymer. The case additionally relates to products of the process and subsequent applications for the polymer such as for example sealants and rubbers.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm-type pneumatic brake actuator includes a flange case, a cover cooperable with the flange case, a flexible diaphragm extending between the flange case and the cover forming a lower pneumatic chamber and an upper pneumatic chamber on opposed sides of the diaphragm. A piston assembly is disposed in the cover for moving a spring between compressed and decompressed positions. A spring guide is disposed between the cover and the piston assembly in the upper chamber. The spring guide prevents direct contact of the spring with the cover to prevent formation of a corrosion cell.

Abstract: A global communication satellite system includes at least three communication satellites. Each communication satellite is disposed in a geostationary orbit about the Earth. Each communication satellite also includes a feed horn array having at least 4,000 feed horns with each feed horn capable of transmitting at least one radio frequency (RF) signal. The feed horn array produces a plurality of spot beams with each spot beam corresponding to a spot beam area on the surface of the Earth. Each spot beam area has a generally circular shape with a diameter less than 150 miles. Furthermore, each spot beam area overlaps with a plurality of other spot beams areas such that plurality of spot beams provide saturation coverage of all populated land areas of the Earth.

Abstract: A torque arm for securing the position of a power train relative to a motor vehicle includes a first mount and a second mount. The first mount and the second mount are spaced by a body portion. The first mount is formed by a continuous ring defining a first central opening and is integral with the body portion. The second mount is formed by a loop defining a second central opening and the loop extends from the body portion at an opposite end of the body portion from the continuous ring.

Abstract: A composition for treating hearing loss includes components that function through different biological mechanisms to provide an additive effect that is equal to or greater than a sum of the effect of the individual components. The composition includes a biologically effective amount of at least one scavenger of singlet oxygen, a donor antioxidant, a third antioxidant, and a vasodilator. A method of treating hearing loss includes the step of internally administering the composition including a biologically effective amount of the at least one scavenger of singlet oxygen, the donor antioxidant, the third antioxidant, and the vasodilator to a mammal within three days of trauma to a middle or inner ear of the mammal.

Abstract: A method of treating side effects of antibiotic treatment includes the step of internally administering an antibiotic that is capable of inducing hearing loss in a mammal. The method further includes the step of internally administering a composition to the mammal in conjunction with administration of the antibiotic. The composition includes a biologically effective amount of at least one scavenger of singlet oxygen, vitamin E, vitamin C, and a vasodilator comprising magnesium. The combination of vitamins and the vasodilator comprising magnesium, in the biologically effective amounts, provides an effective treatment for treating side effects of antibiotic treatment.

Abstract: A combination of bone fixation device and bending tool. The bone fixation device comprising a plurality of screw receiving members. Each screw receiving member having an aperture extending there through for receiving a screw. The screw receiving members being connected together in a line by plastically deformable connecting arms extending therebetween. The bending tool comprising first and second bending arms. Each bending arm comprising a first face, a second face and a side wall extending therebetween. The side wall comprising a recess extending between the first and second faces. The intersection of the recess with the first and second faces defining first and second connecting arm receiving apertures respectively. The recess being adapted to receive a screw receiving member.

Abstract: A heat-curable silicone rubber composition for a rubber laminate composed of a silicone-rubber layer and a rubber layer of a material other than silicone, the composition comprising: an alkenyl-containing diorganopolysiloxane (A) which comprises: 50 to 99 mass % of a diorganopolysiloxane (A1) that contains alkenyl groups, is capped at molecular terminals with alkenyl-containing organosilyl groups, and is free of alkenyl groups in side molecular chains; 1 to 50 mass % of an alkenyl-containing diorganopolysiloxane (A2) having two or more alkenyl groups in a side molecular chain; a fine silica powder (B); an organohydrogenpolysiloxane (C) having in one molecule at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms; and an organic peroxide (D).

Abstract: A curable silicone composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane that is represented by a specific average unit formula and that has at least two of the aforementioned epoxy-functional monovalent organic groups in each molecule; (B) a diorganosiloxane represented by the general formula: A-R5—(R42SiO)mR42Si—R5-A, wherein R4 is substituted or unsubstituted mono-valent hydrocarbon group that does not contain an aliphatically unsaturated bond, R5 is a divalent organic group, A is a siloxane residue with a specific average unit formula, and m is an integer with a value of at least 1; and (C) a curing agent for epoxy resin, exhibits excellent handling and curing characteristics and that cures to give a cured product that exhibits excellent flexibility and adhesiveness.

Abstract: A method and a system for administering a greeting card and lottery game combination are provided. The method includes the step of providing the greeting card with an identifier associated therewith, which greeting card is provided at a location accessible to a consumer. A lottery game is maintained at a secure point of sale separate from the greeting card. A vendor of the lottery game obtains information from the identifier associated with the greeting card, which identifier contains sufficient information for the vendor to select the lottery game absent instruction from the consumer, and the lottery game is selected by the vendor based upon the information obtained from the identifier. The selected lottery game is provided to the consumer to produce the greeting card and lottery game combination. The combined greeting card and lottery game system comprises the greeting card and the lottery game, with the lottery game maintained separate from the greeting card.

Abstract: An insulator for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle is formed of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material defines a channel that provides increased flexibility to the insulator and defines an increased density about the channel that increases the durability of the insulator. The suspension system includes a support structure adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a piston rod disposed within the aperture and displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel, and a plate mounted to the piston rod. The insulator is compressibly disposed between the support structure and the plate. The exterior channel increases the flexibility of the insulator to distribute localized stress on the insulator by the support structure and the plate. The increased density about the channel increases the durability of the insulator about the channel when the support structure and the plate exert a compressive force on the insulator.

Abstract: A casing (1) is dedicated to housing a heat exchanger (3) in a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning installation, for example of a motor vehicle. The heat exchanger (3) comprises an air inlet face (12), an air outlet face (13), a rear end face (15), a front end face (14), and at least one side face (16, 17) capped with a radiator tank (4, 5). The casing (1) comprises side walls (18, 19) defining at least one housing to receive at least one part of the radiator tank (4, 5).

Abstract: A method of preparing a reinforced silicone resin film, the method comprising the steps of impregnating a fiber reinforcement in a free radical-curable silicone composition comprising a silicone resin, and curing the silicone resin of the impregnated fiber reinforcement; wherein the reinforced silicone resin film comprises from 10 to 99% (w/w) of the cured silicone resin and the film has a thickness of from 15 to 500 ?m; and a reinforced silicone resin film prepared according to the method.