Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a gas includes a preferably substantially vertically oriented cylinder body, having a longitudinally extending bore with a wall, and a preferably substantially vertically oriented piston adapted for reciprocating movement in the cylinder bore. The piston includes a piston head preferably having a substantially horizontally oriented top face and a seal groove extending around the periphery of the piston head and spaced from the piston head top face. At least one fluid passage extends in the piston head from the top face thereof to the seal groove. A seal member is positioned in the groove and has an outer face adapted to contact the cylinder inner wall. A layer of a lubricant is provided on the piston head top face. An inlet aperture is provided for allowing a gas to enter the cylinder above the piston head. A movement member is provided to urge the piston upwardly and compress the gas.

Abstract: A wheel cover installation and retention system for a wheel including a circumferential retention groove. The wheel cover includes pilot ribs for first engaging the inner surface of the wheel at a plurality of preselected positions on the wheel and preventing radial movement of the wheel cover relative to the wheel during installation, retention fingers for engaging the circumferential retention groove at a plurality of preselected locations on the wheel, and a spring member contacting the retention fingers and exerting a radially outward force on the retention fingers, thereby urging the retention fingers into the circumferential retention groove on the wheel.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing bumper comprises a semi-rigid resilient fascia and a back-up member spaced rearwardly from the fascia, the space therebetween being filled with an integral skin urethane foam which is resiliently compressible and integrally bonded to the bumper members.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper is adapted to provide energy management of impact forces. In a basic embodiment the bumper includes a fascia having a front portion adapted to receive impact forces and upper and lower flanges extending rearwardly from the front portion. A backing member is positioned rearwardly from the fascia and includes means for mounting the bumper on the vehicle. The volume bounded by the backing member and the fascia has a resiliently compressible plastic foam molded in situ and features an integral skin bonded to adjacent surfaces of the fascia and the backing member.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing bumper comprises a semi-rigid resilient fascia and a back-up member spaced rearwardly from the fascia, the space therebetween being filled with an integral skin urethane foam which is resiliently compressible and integrally bonded to the bumper members.

Abstract: A plastic simulated wire wheel cover includes at least two molded plastic components secured together by suitable fasteners. Each component has radially extending spokes which may be molded integrally therewith. One of the spoked components includes a radially outwardly extending, annular flange around its outer periphery adapted to overlie or extend adjacent to the outer peripheral portion of a wheel rim when the cover is applied to the wheel. The wheel-engaging members for releasably mounting the cover on a wheel are mounted directly on the plastic molded component provided with the radial annular peripheral flange.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel trim member has a round spring steel ring mounted on the inboard face thereof adapted to engage in grooves in the wheel mounting lug nuts or the studs on which they are threaded to releasably retain the trim member on the wheel. The ring is dimensioned to be flexed radially into non-circular shape and thereby assume a stressed condition when engaged in the grooves. The ring is mounted on the trim member such that the retention forces generated by the flexed ring are absorbed entirely by the studs and not by the trim member. Distortion and warpage of the trim member is thus avoided.

Abstract: An annular bendable sheet metal bracket which may be a decorative hub is fixed to a wheel cover outwardly from the central portion thereof. The central portion of the bracket is adapted to be locked to a fixed central portion of the wheel. When it is attempted to remove the cover from the wheel without releasing the lock, the bracket distorts while the cover remains intact.

Abstract: An enamel having a thermosensitive catalyst therein is applied to a workpiece by means of a spray gun supplied with a large volume of heated air at a low pressure. The heated air initiates activation of the catalyst substantially immediately upon discharge from the spray gun and, thus, produces a painted surface which is dust-free within a minimum time period.

Abstract: A machine for bending wire into a ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outwardly projecting loops. A loop is formed by the cooperation of a pair of first mandrels longitudinally spaced apart on one side of a wire segment and a second mandrel normally positioned on the other side of the wire segment and moved generally transversely across the longitude of the wire segment along a path between the first mandrels while essentially simultaneously the first mandrels are moved generally longitudinally toward each other. Pairs of third and fourth mandrels disposed on opposite sides of the wire form bends in the wire to provide a plurality of rectilinear portions interconnecting adjacent loops to form a ring-like configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover releasably retained on a wheel by an annular resilient wire ring supported on the rear face of the cover. The ring has a plurality of radial outward projections thereon for releasably engaging the wheel rim. At at least one point around its circumference, the ring has radially outwardly bent parted ends which extend into a radial retaining passageway formed on the cover and which support therebetween a separate metal finger. The finger extends radially outwardly beyond the parted ends of the ring and has sharp pointed edges at its outer end which engage the wheel rim and prevent rotation of the cover relative to the wheel.

Abstract: The cavity surface of a foam mold is sprayed with a paint which becomes integrally bonded to the outer surface of the foam molded part. The sprayed paint unavoidably overlaps the parting faces of the mold around the outer edges of the mold cavity. In order to avoid the necessity of trimming a paint flash from the molded part along a line corresponding to the parting line of the mold, after the cavity is spray painted and while the paint is still wet the line of intersection between the cavity and the parting faces of the mold is contacted with a member which interrupts the continuity of the paint film. This avoids the formation of the paint flash on the molded part.

Abstract: A wheel cover formed of plastic or metal having a wire ring supported on the inboard face thereof. The ring is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending, U-shaped projections designed to frictionally engage an annular surface on the wheel rim to retain the cover thereon. The radially outermost portion of the bight section of each projection is formed with a sharp biting edge face inclined both to the plane of the wheel cover and to the axis of the wheel cover so as to provide substantial resistance of the cover to rotation and axial outward displacement relative to the wheel.

Abstract: A process and electrodialysis cell for regenerating used chromic acid baths for reuse. The process and apparatus have an anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber separated by a cation permeable membrane and utilize as an improved catholyte solution an aqueous mixture of a water soluble salt such as sodium sulfate. A preferred anode which is not decomposed by the chromic acid bath comprises by weight about 1.5% of silver, about 5% of antimony, about 3% of tin and the balance lead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating aqueous rinse mixtures containing organic brightener additives having sulfur therein of nickel electroplating processes by adding acid to the rinse mixture, passing the rinse and acid mixture through a carbon filter to remove the brighteners and decrease the sulfur content of the mixture, and adding the filtered mixture to and reusing it in the semi-bright and bright nickel baths of the nickel electroplating process.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover formed of plastic or metal having a wire ring supported on the inboard face thereof. The ring is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending projections which are designed to forcibly engage an annular surface on the wheel to retain the cover thereon. The ring is supported on the cover such that the forces developed by displacing the projections radially inwardly as a result of mounting the cover on a wheel are substantially completely absorbed by the ring itself rather than being transmitted to the cover. Thus the cover itself is not subjected to any forces which tend to flex or distort it.