Abstract: In an automobile steering device, a mounting structure is provided for attaching a locking collar having a cancel cam to the hub of a cable reel rotor. The cancel cam is used to automatically deactivate a turn signal switch while it is blinking. The cable reel provides a housing for cable. The cable reel includes a casing attached to a rotor having an inner hub. In an annular hollow area between the casing and the rotor, a flat cable is spirally housed, and the flat cable is wound or rewound in the hollow area in accordance with reciprocal rotation of the rotor which corresponds to steering wheel movement. During the assembly process (i.e. attachment of locking collar to the rotor), it is important that the cancel cam is aligned, or clocked, to a specific radial position with respect to the rotor. There is provided a mounting structure which positively prevents erroneous connections between the locking collar and rotor.

Abstract: A pivot socket of the present invention incorporates a stud shaft component having a partially spherical head portion disposed within a housing cavity, and an axial pin extension extending upward into the cavity therefrom. The partially spherical head portion seats against a partial spherical bearing surface disposed within the housing cavity, and the axial pin extension is enclosed within a resilient cushion. During use, lateral and axial loads imparted on the stud shaft are transformed into radial and axial component forces at the bearing surfaces. The radial force components are distributed to the interior walls of the housing cavity, while the axial force components are transferred axially through the resilient cushion to the end closure components secured to the housing. Little or no lateral force components are transferred to the resilient cushion from lateral loads imparted on the stud shaft, thereby reducing wear on the pivot socket components and extending the useful life thereof.

Abstract: A unitary eye bolt comprising a large-diameter skirt member for dissipating lateral forces, applied onto the unitary eye bolt, is disclosed. The large-diameter skirt member is threaded onto a stud, and can be locked onto the stud with a nut. Once the large-diameter skirt member is locked into place, one or more arms of the large-diameter skirt member can be used to apply rotational forces onto the unitary eye bolt to thereby secure or remove the stud of the unitary eye bolt from the trench plate. Each arm of the large-diameter skirt member can be impacted with a hammer, for example, to apply substantial rotational forces onto the unitary eye bolt for tightening or removal thereof. A unique double-threaded stud is used to accommodate the large-diameter skirt member. The double-threaded stud comprises a first thread on one end for being threaded into a trench plate, and a second thread on the other end for accommodating both the large-diameter skirt member and a securing nut.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a multiple part ball stud that is press fit together and then assembled with a ball socket. The ball socket is ultrasonically welded to a ball joint housing, and the ball joint housing is assembled to a heated link to form a strong mechanical joint therebetween. The weld joint between the ball socket and the housing is positioned near the bottom of the ball socket, away from high stress areas of the housing. An annular seal is adhered between an inwardly facing portion of the housing and an outwardly facing portion of the ball stud to heremetically seal the joint.

Abstract: A locking device for two components of a height- and tilt-adjustable motor vehicle steering column, that has components that are displaceable in relation to one another, is disclosed. One component is fixed on a bracket stationarily connected to the body of the motor vehicle and the other component is part of a steering column housing accommodating the steering column, with at least two toothed surfaces each fixed on the components that are displaceable in relation to one another. The toothed surfaces have each at least one row of teeth with a plurality of teeth arranged next to one another. The free tips of the teeth of the two rows, which free tips face one another, are mutually repelled by magnetic forces.

Abstract: A joining device has a female part and a male part for joining with the female part. The female part has a retaining opening, and the male part has an inserting part for insertion in the retaining opening of the female part. The female part further has female shoulders that form an input of the retaining opening, and the inserting part has male shoulders. The male shoulders are inclined with respect to the female shoulders so that the contact between the male shoulders and female shoulders is reduced to a point when the inserting part is inserted in the retaining opening.

Abstract: A slot lock ring assembly capable of repeated radial expansion and contraction without sustaining permanent deformation and expansion to a load bearing state comprising: a solid metal ring having a toothed profile on one diameter and a tapered actuating profile on the opposite diameter, a top edge and a bottom edge; a spaced group of cuts that allow repeated radial expansion and contraction of the solid metal ring without sustaining permanent deformation, wherein the cuts are made in an alternating pattern, of a first cut starting on the top edge followed by a second cut starting on the bottom edge, and each group of cuts is spaced apart 10 to 40 degrees.

Abstract: A perpendicular connection of two profile rods abutting at an angle (&agr;) with undercut linear grooves has a connecting bolt with a head at one end. This is arranged parallel to the axis of symmetry of a longitudinal profile rod in an undercut linear groove therein, and engages with its other end in a tenon block arranged in an undercut linear groove of the transverse profile rod. A spread element inserted in the undercut linear groove can be spread by the effect of an axial force generated by the connecting bolt transverse to the linear groove and firmly clamped in this as an abutment. The spread element comprises a spread body with an axial holder bore and a wedge body which can be inserted therein with the through bore for the connecting bolt, where the head of the connecting bolt lies against a face of the wedge body.

Abstract: A coupler structure for steel pipe conjoinment that provides for user DIY assembly having a coupling block overlapping inner sides of two horizontal sections of steel piping, a bolt inserted through the coupling block to fasten together the two horizontal sections of steel piping, a locating hole formed in the ends of each inner side of the two horizontal sections of steel piping, and a threaded hold tapped at a suitable position in the front corner of a straight section of steel pipe. A junction contact element extends from each of the two ends of the coupling block with insertion tabs fitted into the locating hole in each of the two horizontal sections of the steel piping. A semi-circular opening is formed at the mutually facing ends of the two horizontal sections of the steel piping such that after the semi-circular openings are brought together, their position is in a state of alignment with the threaded hole of the straight section of steel pipe.

Abstract: A positionable arm composed of multiple member segments connected by an adjustable joint which may be fixedly positioned and repeatedly repositioned. The first member includes an end portion defining a first connector opening and an inner surface defining a chamber. A slideable piston provided in the first member includes a first end and a second end, the first end being adjacent the chamber and creating a seal along the inner surface of the first member. A rotatable connector is received in the first member between the second end of said piston and the end portion of the first member, and a second member is attached to the rotatable connector. To position the arm, a pressurized fluid source supplies compressed air to the chamber, which presses the piston against the rotatable connector, fixedly clamping the connector between the piston and the end portion of the first chamber.

Abstract: Roller member connectors facilitate quick change of tools used by robot hands. Each roller member includes a pair of projections on either side thereof. On the inner surface of each retainer opening, a pair of guide grooves are formed to guide the projections so that they are retained during operation.

Abstract: A non-articulating joint assembly is disclosed having a bracket with a first generally cylindrical end that is received in a split-half bearing assembly that has a tapered outer surface. The tapered split-half bearing assembly matingly engages a tapered bore in the first housing of a socket. The tapered split-half bearing is slightly larger than the tapered inner bore to provide a radial pre-load on the assembly bearing. A cap bearing is located in the housing and engages the bottom surface of the tapered split-half assembly bearing. A closure member is located below the cap bearing and cooperates with a spring member and a rim of the first housing that is crimped over to securely hold the components in position and also provide an axial pre-load on the split-half bearing. Similarly, a second housing on the socket member has a second split-half bearing assembly and a second cap bearing assembly that receives a stud is provided. The stud includes a generally cylindrical end portion.

Abstract: An improved central shaft for collapsible umbrella includes a plurality of telescopic tubes. Each pair of adjacent tubes are overlapped and engaged by a circular perimeter section and a flat indent plane, or a flat indent plane and an inside concave section formed at the ends of the tube. The overlapped engagement sections of the tube may be made at a selected length desired to obtain strong engagement strength. The tube number may be increased to five so that each tube may be shorter to make the umbrella compact and convenient to carry and use.

Abstract: A hollow plastic member provided with end caps having holes therein through which wires can pass and be placed under tension so as to provide internal support for the member to reduce deflection of the member when a load is placed thereon and to return the member back within acceptable limits to its original position.

Abstract: A vehicle closure panel assembly having an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has a flange along one edge which is folded over a flange of the inner panel. A metal coating provides a seal between the edge of the flange of the outer panel and the flange of the inner panel. The coating is made of metal and is sprayed on. The metal coating provides a mechanical and metallurgical bond and may offer sacrificial protection against corrosion and instantaneous or immediate bonding.

Abstract: A universal connector for use with a remote controlled apparatus comprising a base having an aperture sized to receive a control rod. Two fingers extend outwardly from the base, with a channel being located in one of the fingers. A slideable latch is retained in the channel, the latch having an aperture and a slit which separates opposingly located deformable prongs. The latch is operable between a locked and an unlocked position. Also provided are opposingly located first and second apertures located on the fingers. The apertures are aligned to receive a retaining pin. The first aperture is larger in diameter than the second aperture. The pin includes a head which engages one of the fingers and an internal stop which engages the other finger. A first portion of the pin is sized to fit within the first aperture and extends from the head to the internal stop. A second portion on the pin is sized to fit within the second aperture and extends from the internal stop to a terminal end.

Abstract: A system is described for connecting a working tool (e.g. a bucket, compactor tool, chisel, etc.) to the outer end of a working arm of a machine. The system includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding flanges secured to the upper surface of the tool. Each flange includes an elongated slot. A pair of inserts sized to fit in the elongated slots are detachably secured to the flanges. Each insert includes a pair of transverse openings to receive the pins which are used for attaching the tool to the machine. The system enables any tool to be connected to the end of a working arm of any machine.

Abstract: A mounting device for coaxially anchoring a machine element upon a rotary shaft. The device fits between the interior bore of the machine element and the cylindrical surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and out sleeves, the mating surfaces of which are similarly tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves effects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of a threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the connection of removable and replaceable equipment to a structural member. The invention is particularly advantageous in environments where there is vibration or movement, such as with a tractor-trailers, railroad freight containers, airplane or the like. The present invention provides a triple acting wedge boltless connector system for connecting a mounting member to a structural member. The boltless connector system of the present invention tends to tighten and more securely engage when subject to vibration or movement. Consequently, vibration does not loosen the boltless connection but instead makes the connection more secure. Thus, there is no need for threaded fasteners and washers. The present invention also facilitates easy removal of the equipment from the main structure.

Abstract: The device is a section connector for building structures, such as, for instance, a rafter assembly section connector for winter gardens or the like, with the aid of which a hollow section can be attached to another hollow or solid section at variable angles. An inset equipped with a ball head is firmly attached to one section. Using the ball head, the inset is connected to a structural part attached to another section in such a way that it can pivot.