Abstract: A window frame including a pair of identical frame halves that can be interconnected without fasteners. Two different connector systems are integrally formed with the frame halves, and the frame halves have two possible orientations with respect to one another—a ship orientation and an install orientation. The first connector system releasably interconnects the frame halves in either orientation. The second connector system essentially permanently interconnects the frame halves only in the install orientation—not in the ship orientation.

Abstract: A composite wheel that includes a wheel having an outer surface, a plurality of exposed apertures formed in a circular pattern in a central hub region of the wheel, and a centrally-located hub aperture extending through the wheel. The composite wheel also includes a wheel cladding having a body conforming to the outer surface of the wheel, an exposed outer surface, and an inner surface facing the wheel when the wheel cladding is attached to the wheel. The wheel cladding includes at least one alignment tab extending from the inner surface and engaging the hub aperture and aligning the cladding with respect to the hub aperture, and at least one support post extending from the inner surface substantially proximate the hub aperture and structurally supporting the wheel cladding with respect to the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel center cap for a vehicle wheel includes a substantially planar body portion, and a plurality of flexibly resilient fingers extending substantially orthogonal to the body portion and adapted to be received within a central aperture of a wheel. Each finger includes a pair of sidewalls and an integrally formed outer wall, wherein the outer wall includes a centrally-located portion defining a first radius of curvature, and rounded abutment portions located proximate the sidewalls and having a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A window frame including a pair of identical frame halves that can be interconnected without fasteners. Two different connector systems are integrally formed with the frame halves, and the frame halves have two possible orientations with respect to one another—a ship orientation and an install orientation. The first connector system releasably interconnects the frame halves in either orientation. The second connector system essentially permanently interconnects the frame halves only in the install orientation—not in the ship orientation.

Abstract: A wheel center cap for a vehicle wheel includes a substantially planar body portion, and a plurality of flexibly resilient fingers extending substantially orthogonal to the body portion and adapted to be received within a central aperture of a wheel. Each finger includes a pair of sidewalls and an integrally formed outer wall, wherein the outer wall includes a centrally-located portion defining a first radius of curvature, and rounded abutment portions located proximate the sidewalls and having a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A wheel and cladding includes a cladding having an outer decorative surface and an inner surface which faces a wheel to be covered. The cladding includes a plurality of openings for receiving wheel mounting lugs. Spaced from the openings are a plurality of spaced snap-locking tabs extending from the inner facing surface of the cladding toward the wheel to which the cladding is to be mounted. The wheel includes a generally circular relief cut or other recess extending around the central hub or in spaced relationship thereto and aligned with the spaced tabs of the cladding to snap-receive the cladding for holding it in place while adhesive applied to the wheel and/or cladding is cured to permanently bond the decorative cladding to the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel and cladding includes a cladding having an outer decorative surface and an inner surface which faces a wheel to be covered. The cladding includes a plurality of openings for receiving wheel mounting lugs. Spaced from the openings are a plurality of spaced snap-locking tabs extending from the inner facing surface of the cladding toward the wheel to which the cladding is to be mounted. The wheel includes a generally circular relief cut or other recess extending around the central hub or in spaced relationship thereto and aligned with the spaced tabs of the cladding to snap-receive the cladding for holding it in place while adhesive applied to the wheel and/or cladding is cured to permanently bond the decorative cladding to the wheel.

Abstract: A window frame including a pair of identical frame halves that can be interconnected without fasteners. Two different connector systems are integrally formed with the frame halves, and the frame halves have two possible orientations with respect to one another—a ship orientation and an install orientation. The first connector system releasably interconnects the frame halves in either orientation. The second connector system essentially permanently interconnects the frame halves only in the install orientation—not in the ship orientation.

Abstract: An improved insulated glass including a spacer unit and a pair of glazing panels bonded to opposite sides thereof. The spacer unit includes a peripheral spacer portion and a muntin portion within the spacer portion. The spacer unit is a one-piece, injection-molded unit, and consequently the spacer portion and the muntin portion form an inseparable integrated whole.

Abstract: A self-levelling laser generator apparatus (10) includes a housing (12), a light source in the housing which produces a beam of collimated light, and a self-levelling mechanism (18). The self-levelling mechanism includes an electronically controllable signal source, such as a digital potentiometer (46), which is provided a command (44a-44c) from a programmed computer (38) to produce a controllable output (48). The output of (48) the digital potentiometer is summed by a summing circuit (34) with the output (28) of an inclination sensor (24) in order to produce a compensated inclination signal (36) which is provided as an input to computer 38. The computer additionally receives a calibration input (20, 21) indicative of deviation between the inclination of the laser beam and a predetermined grade. The computer produces a drive signal (50a, 50b) for the self-levelling mechanism (52, 54) that is a function of the compensation inclination signal.

Abstract: A compact laser construction instrument intended for use by the average construction contractor. The instrument is capable of generating a rotating plane of laser light and a beam of light that is perpendicular to the rotating plane. It includes a beam generator adapted to generate a beam of collimated light along a given axis. A rotating platform is provided for supporting the beam generator for rotation in a plane parallel the axis of the collimated light and about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the collimated light in order to generate a plane of light. A means is provided that is positioned for rotation with the platform for generating a second beam of collimated light along the rotation axis to generate a rotating narrow beam of light that is perpendicular to the plane.