Abstract: A sealed modular trim supplemental side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) module assembly includes a SABIC and a vehicle trim assembly encapsulating the SABIC. The SABIC is sealed within the vehicle trim assembly and provided as a complete compact module configured for subsequent attachment to a vehicle roll bar.

Abstract: A narrowband radar arrangement having a radar transmitter and a radar receiver mounted above a targeted water surface to monitor and determine a sea state of the targeted water surface. Fixed frequency signals are transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver, via a direct path and via a forward scattered path off the targeted water surface. An interference pattern of interfering direct path signals and forward scattered signals is used to determine an instantaneous height of the water surface and also to determine the sea state of the targeted water surface.

Abstract: A broadband radar arrangement having a radar transmitter and a radar receiver mounted above a targeted water surface to monitor and determine a sea state of the targeted water surface. Spectrally spaced signals are transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver, via a direct path and via a forward scattered path off the targeted water surface. An interference pattern of interfering direct path signals and forward scattered signals is used to determine an instantaneous height of the water surface and also to determine the sea state of the targeted water surface.

Abstract: An electromechanical switching device ensures automatic selected polarity interconnection between terminals of two power sources. A double pole double throw (DPDT) switch has three pairs of contacts. A first pair of leads connect to two pairs of contacts in a manner that reverses polarity when switched, while a second pair of leads connect to the other pair of contacts. A switch controller employs a plurality of coils in electrical communication with the two pairs of leads. The coils are arranged and configured so that, when the two pairs of leads are connected to the respective power sources, the coils cause an actuator to move the switch automatically into the correct polarity state regardless of the connections of the leads. The invention is described as a battery jumper cable and to automatically connect like terminals of a pair of batteries. The invention encompasses the method of this device.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock includes a latching assembly secured to a first structure, a catch piece secured to a second structure, and an electromechanical device. The latching assembly includes at least one latch element movable between a capture and release states to mechanically engage and disengage the catch piece, an arming member movable between a first and second positions wherein the latch element is released and captured, and a biasing element to urge the arming member into the first position. When the electromagnetic device is switched “on”, it magnetically engages the arming member with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force whereby movement of the catch piece away from the received state results in the latch element moving into the capture state to prevent separation of the first and second structures; when the electromagnetic device is switched “off”, the first and second structures may be separated.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a mounting element secured to a vehicle and having an upright post with a cylindrical end portion provided with a key structure and a hitch ball that is keyed to be mated on that end portion in one rotational state. The hitch ball may be rotated to a second rotational state wherein the key structure is trapped in a cavity in the ball. A latch notch is provided in either the ball or the post, and a latch element in provided the other of them. The latch element can move between a latch position to prevent rotation of the ball thereby to maintain engagement and an unlatch position to permit rotation and thereby separation of the ball from the post. A spring clip may be used to hold the latch element in the latch position.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted to secure a trailer and tractor vehicle includes an elongated housing, a threaded shaft in the housing, a coupling member on the shaft, a carriage member secured to the coupling member, a rotatable drive that turns the shaft to advance the coupling member and carriage member, a first member secured to the housing for connection to one of the vehicles and a second member secured to the carriage for connection to the other vehicle. This allows the effective height of the hitch assembly to be varied so that different towing situations can be accommodated. In one embodiment, flat slide surfaces between the carriage and the housing are provided. A yoke assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hitch ball engaging assembly provides a socket to receive a hitch ball with at least one locking element. A rotatable locking collar rotates between first and second positions respectively to move the locking element between a locked state and an unlocked state. A latch can be provided to retain the collar in the first and/or second positions. The locking element(s) may be ball(s) in holes in the socket and the collar has cam surfaces to move the ball(s). The hitch ball engaging assembly may particularly be used in an adapter to interconnect a pin connector of a fifth wheel coupling to the hitch ball of a gooseneck coupling. Here, an extension member is provided with a pin connector assembly to secure the fifth wheel pin on one end and the hitch ball engaging assembly on the other end. The invention includes methods accomplished by these structures.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted to secure a trailer and tractor vehicle includes an elongated housing, a threaded shaft in the housing, a coupling member on the shaft, a carriage member secured to the coupling member, a rotatable drive that turns the shaft to advance the coupling member and carriage member, a first member secured to the housing for connection to one of the vehicles and a second member secured to the carriage for connection to the other vehicle. This allows the effective height of the hitch assembly to be varied so that different towing situations can be accommodated. In one embodiment, flat slide surfaces between the carriage and the housing are provided. A yoke assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interchangeable hitch ball assembly includes a mounting element to be secured to a vehicle and a hitch ball element to be secured to the mounting element. A post is on one of the mounting element and the hitch ball element, and a cavity is formed in the other. The post has a threaded head that screws past a threaded entryway in the cavity so as to reside in an interior chamber. The hitch ball can freely rotate relative to the mounting element when assembled, but it cannot be separated by axial movement. A fastener may be included to further secure the two members together. Several differently sized hitch balls may form a set to adapt to differently sized trailer tongues.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock includes a latching assembly secured to a first structure, a catch piece secured to a second structure, and an electromechanical device. The latching assembly includes at least one latch element movable between a capture and release states to mechanically engage and disengage the catch piece, an arming member movable between a first and second positions wherein the latch element is released and captured, and a biasing element to urge the arming member into the first position. When the electromagnetic device is switched “on”, it magnetically engages the arming member with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force whereby movement of the catch piece away from the received state results in the latch element moving into the capture state to prevent separation of the first and second structures; when the electromagnetic device is switched “off”, the first and second structures may be separated.

Abstract: A hitch ball engaging assembly provides a socket to receive a hitch ball with at least one locking element. A rotatable locking collar rotates between first and second positions respectively to move the locking element between a locked state and an unlocked state. A latch can be provided to retain the collar in the first and/or second positions. The locking element(s) may be ball(s) in holes in the socket and the collar has cam surfaces to move the ball(s). The hitch ball engaging assembly may particularly be used in an adapter to interconnect a pin connector of a fifth wheel coupling to the hitch ball of a gooseneck coupling. Here, an extension member is provided with a pin connector assembly to secure the fifth wheel pin on one end and the hitch ball engaging assembly on the other end. The invention includes methods accomplished by these structures.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing optical discs with purposefully provided errors therein are disclosed, wherein the error instances can be used to identify the authenticity of the optical disc. Additionally, methods for determining the authenticity of an optical disc are disclosed, wherein values derived from descriptors of errors found on the disc are compared with corresponding known values indicative of an authentic disc for determining whether the disc was legitimately manufactured or not. Such methods may utilize errors that are correctable, uncorrectable, trackable, and/or untrackable. An end user (or the end user's optical reading laser) may be instructed to purposefully alter a portion of the disc in a predetermined manner so that an unauthorized copy of the disc is easily discoverable by, e.g., activation of an authentication program on the disc or accessible via a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lock construction for securing to a trailer socket and thereby preventing attachment of the trailer socket to a connecting member of an unauthorized towing vehicle. The lock construction comprising a base with a first upstanding member extending from the base and adapted to engage the trailer socket of the trailer. A second upstanding member is disposed on the base in spaced relation to the first upstanding member. A shaft like member is positioned in the housing and is slidable toward the first upstanding member from an unlocked position where the third member is spaced away from the first upstanding member to a locked position wherein the third member engages the trailer socket once it is attached to the first upstanding member. A locking mechanism is operative connected to the third member and to allow slidable movement of the third member.

Abstract: A motion detection system for detecting an object's movement through a threshold in a selected direction comprises first and second transmitters for producing respective broadcast signals across the threshold along respective transmission paths, a receiver circuitry operative in an absence of movement through the threshold to receive the broadcast signals and generate a receiver circuitry reference signal, and operative upon interruption of both broadcast signals within a selected period of time to generate receiver circuitry interrupted output corresponding to movement of the object, respectively, through first and second transmission paths. Processing circuitry monitors the receiver circuitry and operates upon detection of the receiver circuitry interrupted output to produce an event detection signal, and output circuitry responds to generate selected output, thereby indicating movement of the object through the threshold in one of two movement directions.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use with a cycle comprises elongated first and second tubular members and a biasing assembly. The first tubular member is associated with the cycle's frame and has a longitudinal axis. The second tubular member has a lower end portion adapted for connection to foot supports and an opposite upper end portion for connection to the cycle's seat assembly such that the foot supports and the seat assembly are interconnected for common movement. The second tubular member is slidably disposed with respect to the first tubular member for movement along the longitudinal axis away from an initial position as determined by a pre-impact condition.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use with a cycle comprises elongated first and second tubular members and a biasing assembly. The first tubular member is associated with the cycle's frame and has a longitudinal axis. The second tubular member has a lower end portion adapted for connection to foot supports and an opposite upper end portion for connection to the cycle's seat assembly such that the foot supports and the seat assembly are interconnected for common movement. The second tubular member is slidably disposed with respect to the first tubular member for movement along the longitudinal axis away from an initial position as determined by a pre-impact condition.

Abstract: A cycle adapted to travel in an upright position along a support surface comprises a rigid frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably journaled with respect to the frame, a suspension tube mounted to the frame for reciprocal movement in upward and downward directions, a seat assembly disposed on an upper end portion of the suspension tube, a drive assembly disposed on a lower end portion of the suspension tube for common movement with the seat assembly, a steering mechanism, and a biasing assembly disposed between the frame and the suspension tube. The biasing assembly is operative to bias the suspension tube into a pre-impact position relative to the frame such that movement of the suspension tube in the downward direction is resisted by the biasing assembly through exertion of a restorative force which urges the suspension in a upward direction toward the pre-impact position, thereby cushioning the seat assembly and the drive assembly relative to impacts occurring during operation of the cycle.