Abstract: There is disclosed a condenser for use in an air conditioning system. The condenser includes a receiver dryer fluidly communicating with it. The receiver dryer includes a fluid inlet for receiving a two-phase refrigerant mixture from the condenser and two outlets, both of which direct refrigerant back to the condenser after phase separation.

Abstract: A process is shown for producing liquefied natural gas from a pressurized natural feed stream. The feed stream is introduced into heat exchange contact with a mechanical refrigeration cycle to cool the feed stream to a first cooling temperature. At least a portion of the feed stream is passed through a turboexpander cycle to provide auxiliary refrigeration for the mechanical refrigeration cycle to thereby cool the feed stream to a second, relatively lower cooling temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in distillation column interreboiling. Previously, hot bottoms streams could be used to heat interreboilers, although heat recovery was limited by approach temperatures of a stream losing sensible heat to a stream gaining sensible heat and heat of vaporization. The present invention expands the number of stages between the draw and return stages for an interreboiler, thus increasing the heat recovery from the bottom stream and reducing hot utilities to the reboiler, among other important advantages. The present invention is shown for NGL deethanization.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry in the form of a necklace or bracelet which would have a permanently sealed, air-tight chamber within for secure containment of a small portion of the ashes of a loved one, baby teeth of a child, or a lock of hair of someone important to the user of the jewelry. The piece of jewerly may include more than one chamber for containment of ashes, teeth, or hair of more than one person important to the user. Also included is a method for sealing the same within such a piece of jewelry with silicone sealant. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use by grandparents to feel closer to a grandchild living at a remote distance from them, use by parents to commemorate important occasions involving their children, and use by boyfriends, girlfriends, and spouses for feeling closer to the one they love particularly when facing a separation, such as that required by military duty.

Abstract: The metal mount comprises a laterally viewing U-letter figured metal base 1 having an upper leg portion 2 and a lower leg portion 3, a hole 5 is provided on the end of the lower leg portion 3 and inside the curved portion of the U-letter figured metal base 1 a cylinder 4 is mounted in a unitary manner. As an accessory 15, a jewel 12 is fit between the upper leg portion 2 and the lower leg portion 3. A string like 16 is inserted into the cylinder 4.

Abstract: A water level measuring apparatus for a washing machine which is capable of sensing the water level depending on a level of a sound made by a falling water when water is supplied, includes a microphone disposed at an interval from a water supply inlet to sense the sound of the falling water, a microphone amplifier for amplifying the sound sensed through the microphone, and a microcomputer for determining a water level by using an output signal from the microphone amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatus for dyeing textile materials with a fixed, hollow and substantially cylindrical body intended to contain a dyeing bath consisting of water and dyeing substances in predetermined proportions, comprising in combination:--a basket for holding the materials to be dyed, whose side wall is provided with a plurality of ports or openings for the communication of the basket with the cavity of the body, and with upper and lower bases being provided with corresponding ports or openings, the basket being locatable within the cavity of the container and a transmission driven by a corresponding driving member and connected to the upper base of the basket for the vertical reciprocating movement thereof.

Abstract: A dyeing apparatus comprises a dyeing vessel adapted to contain a dyeing liquid therein, a rotary shaft rotatably disposed as laterally suspended in the dyeing vessel, an impeller adapted to flow the dyeing liquid in a direction parallel to the rotary shaft, and a reel for permitting an article for dyeing to be rolled up thereon, the impeller and the reel being attached to the rotary shaft. The dyeing of the article rolled up on the reel is effected by causing the dyeing liquid to pass by permeation through the article from the lateral terminal part thereof by the rotation of the impeller. The rotary shaft may be rotated reversibly during the course of the dyeing.

Abstract: A lock in which a key can neither be turned nor removed with the lock is open, is disclosed. The lock body is formed from two identical sections, the inner surface of each being provided with formations which accommodate the moving parts of the lock. The lock cylinder is provided with a plug which is operatively engaged to an extension. The lock shackle is engaged by a lock bearing which is held in place by the extension. Turning the key turns the plug and thus, the extension. This disengages the lock shackle as the lock bearing is no longer held in place. After it has been retracted, the contour of the lock shackle abuts the lock bearing, causing it to engage the extension, thus preventing the extension, the plug and the key from being turned.

Abstract: Two hinged parts (12) and (14) are moved about a pivot (34) to trap a steering wheel between them. A pivotally mounted locking bar (22) on the part (12) has openings (30). The bar (22) could be swung down about its pivot (32) such that a selected one of these openings moves over a loop (28) extending on the other half (14). A padlock can then be passed through the loop (28) to lock the device in position. In a storage configuration the locking bar (28) can be swung down into the space normally occupied by the wheel and trapped between the two parts.

Abstract: A motor vehicle security device for protecting against the cutting of an automobile steering wheel which includes a protective member made of cut-resistant material for covering the steering wheel rim and a connector for attaching the protective member to the steering wheel rim. The protective member radially and circumferentially overlies the steering wheel rim to limit access to the rim and protect against cutting of the rim. The protective member is collapsible for convenient storage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lock for use on a steering wheel having an air bag to particularly protect the air bag from being accessed and stolen. The lock includes a fixing seat having two forward extended and angularly spaced hooking bars and a downward extended rear hooking plate for the seat to fitly mount on a steering wheel. The fixing seat has a middle cover plate which just covers the air bag in the steering wheel. A receiving member is provided on a top of the cover plate to pivotally receive a front driving elbow of the movable rod therein. The locking device is adjustably connected to a rear locking bar of the movable rod and can be locked thereto so that the whole lock can be adapted to a steering wheel of any type and size. A rear end of the locking device is provided with many warning lights.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small vehicle wheel locking assembly which may be quickly installed over one or more wheels of the unit to be protected, and then locked or bolted to the truck or to an adjacent structure. The preferred embodiment comprises basic top and bottom enclosures in which the wheel of the mobile unit may be placed prior to closure of both assemblies into a box like enclosure. One side of the bottom enclosure is hinged to permit rolling the wheel into the enclosure, and one side of the top enclosure is hinged to aid in sliding the enclosure over the top of the wheel. When closed, the upper subassembly is interlocked with the lower unit and secured with a shielded padlock. The lower subassembly may be secured to the bed of a pickup truck, or to a stationary object. In this manner, the wheel is immobilized against rolling and sliding, and access is denied to all points of wheel or tire disassembly.

Abstract: A retrofitable or factory installable security system (50) for cargo loading doors is disclosed. The system (50) has: a remote transmitter (52) for transmitting a radio signal; a receiver (54) for receiving the radio signal from the remote transmitter (52); an electro-mechanical actuator (56) coupled to the receiver (54) for moving a latching device (66) between a locked position and an unlocked position; and the lock assembly (58) has a housing (64) for holding the electro-mechanical actuator (56), the latching device (66) is pivotably connected to the housing (64), and a linkage mechanism (68) coupling the electro-mechanical actuator (56) and the latching device (66). The latching device (66) can be moved between the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: An easily assembled twin ear style key ring. The main body thereof is comprised of two casing halves, i.e., the front casing and the rear casing. A hollow stub on one of the casings extends through a hole provided on the other casing to quickly join the two casings together. The ends of the puller pins are inserted into positioning bushings having slightly larger diameters than the puller pins. The bushings are fixed in the main body by the front and the rear casings when the casings are pressed together. Manufacturing of the twin ear key rings is therefore faster than prior art devices, and is favorable to mass production.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot reversing rolling mill for isothermally reducing a metal strip product. The mill includes a hot reversing mill stand with a pair of coilers positioned on opposite sides of the mill stand. At least one heater is positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand with at least one strip cooling unit positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand. A sensor is provided for sensing a strip parameter indicative of strip temperature as well as a controller for controlling each of the heating and cooling units in response to the sensed parameter. The rolling mill of the present invention can be utilized for isothermally rolling multiple passes of a metal strip product on the hot reversing mill.

Abstract: A sheet pressing method and apparatus using a die and a punch. The invention encompasses holding a sheet between the die and a blank holder to form a first contact surface between the die and the sheet and a second contact surface between the sheet and the blank holder; forming a third contact surface between the punch and the sheet; supplying a pressurized liquid to at least one contact surface; and pressing the sheet through the die with an aid of the punch.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing the diameter of the open end of a can, such as a beverage can, in a necking station while substantially preventing the formation of pleats in the can. The necking station includes a deformable support punch that is positioned within the open end of the can. The punch includes an elastomeric sleeve and a means for providing for lateral deformation of the sleeve, such as an actuator making an interference fit with the sleeve. In the necking station, the can is inserted into a necking die having a transition zone separating an outer cylindrical bore and an inner bore having a reduced diameter. When the top edge of the can is forced past the transition zone in to the inner bore to reduce the dimension of the upper portion of the can, the sleeve is controllably deformed in a manner such that the lateral portion of the sleeve is placed into supporting engagement with the interior wall of the can, pressing the can against the transition zone of the die.

Abstract: The invention is a method of and apparatus for removing camber from MULT strips by passing the MULT strip through a rolling mill having rolls with contacting surfaces vertically adjustable and positioned to reduce the thickness of the MULT strip from its short edge in reduced amounts thereacross to the opposite edge, so as to eliminate or reduce camber in the MULT strip prior to passing the strip through a roll-forming and punching line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a punching and forming tool for producing punched and shaped parts from sheets or foils which consist of material which can be deformed by overstretching. The punching and forming tool comprises upper tool carrier plate means and mating punching platemeans, which can be moved with respect to one another, drawing punch means arranged on the underside of the tool carrier plate means, thrust collar means surrounding the drawing punch means, elastic means arranged between the tool carrier plate means and the thrust collar means, a cutting rule means which arranged on the tool carrier plate, extending in the direction of the mating punching plate means and surrounding the thrust collar means, and a recess which is provided in the mating punching plate means and the inner circumferential edge of which is arranged below the end side of the thrust collar.

Abstract: An improved screw washer, and an improved mold for fabricating the improved screw washer. Using a selected metal plate having a thickness thinner than a nominal height demanded for a nut, the invention primarily aims to form an improved screw washer incorporating a nut satisfying the demanded height. The invention is to provide an improved screw washer, and an improved mold for fabricating the screw washer. Particularly, using this improved mold, the improved screw washer can easily be manufactured, where the above-identified nut is solidly bonded with the metal plate without being disengageable therefrom, and yet, a sufficiently lengthy tapped hole is formed. Structurally, a nut is formed in the state of being continuous to a metal plate after punching out part of the metal plate.

Abstract: An easy open can end having an improved rivet structure integrally formed thereon for the attachment of a pull tab, a method of further forming a can end to incorporate the improved rivet, and tooling for accomplishing the method. The further formation of the can end includes the steps of bubble formation, first button formation, and final rivet formation.

Abstract: A process and device for scanning a moving fiber sliver in a textile machine to measure the thickness of the sliver has a movably mounted scanning element which is pressed against the fiber sliver and has a contact pressure against the sliver. The degree of movement of the movable scanning element indicates changes in the thickness of the moving fiber sliver. An adjusting element is connected to the movably mounted scanning element and maintains a constant contact pressure of the scanning element against the sliver over the entire measuring range of the movable scanning element.

Abstract: For monitoring a predetermined level of a liquid in a container an ultrasonic transducer is fitted on the outer surface of the container wall at a measurement point situated at the height of the level to be monitored. The ultrasonic transducer when excited by an alternating voltage pulse having a given transmission frequency which equals the thickness resonant frequency of the container wall, transfers an ultrasonic transmission pulse to the container wall and converts ultrasonic vibrations, generated by reflected echo pulses, into electrical reception signals that are transferred to an evaluation circuit. In the evaluation circuit, on the one hand the presence or absence of echo signals is detected, and, on the other, the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the after-vibration of the container wall at the end of the transmission pulse are evaluated.

Abstract: A starter includes a pinion supported in a housing rotatably and engageably with a ring gear fitted to a crankshaft, and a starter motor fixed to the housing and having a rotary shaft for driving the pinion through a speed reduction mechanism. The starter is mounted on an engine block in such a manner that an axis center of the motor is located closer to the axis center of the ring gear than an axis center of the pinion. This starter mounting structure reduces the rotary vibrations of the starter motor.

Abstract: An electrical lever assembly includes a lever rockably supported on a main body, a rod vertically sliding with a disc provided on the lever, a potentiometer having a horizontally rotating shaft mounted on the lower surface of the main body, and an arm connecting the potentiometer and the rod. The potentiometer is mounted on the lower surface of the main body in a condition adjustable with respect to a position in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A control body is provided for mounting to a bicycle in close proximity to a handlebar for controlling a pulling and releasing of the transmission element. A first lever is mounted to the control body for movement which causes the control body to effect pulling of the transmission element, and a second lever is mounted to the control body for movement which causes the control body to effect releasing of the transmission element. The first lever and the second lever are mounted to the control body so that the handlebar is disposed between the first lever and the second lever when the shifter operating device is mounted to the bicycle. In a first embodiment both levers may be pivotally coupled to the control body for movement in a common plane, and the first lever may be adapted to move in a direction opposite to the movement in the second lever. In a second embodiment one lever may be pivotally coupled to the control body and the other lever may be coupled for linear movement relative to the control body.

Abstract: A windshield wiper drive assembly including an electric motor having a motor output shaft coupled to a reduction gearbox having a gearbox output shaft and a drive cam mounted onto the gearbox output shaft; a first rigid cable sheath mount connected to the reduction gearbox; a wiper mounting plate having a wiper coupling shaft rotatably mounted therethrough, a first end of the coupling shaft having a first lever arm end of a rigid lever arm rigidly connected thereto in a manner such that the lever arm extends radially from the wiper coupling shaft; a second rigid cable sheath mount connected to the mounting plate; and a push/pull cable drive mechanism including a length of cable, slidably positioned within a cable sheath having a first cable sheath end and a second cable sheath end, and a cable actuation mechanism including a roller shaft coupled to a first cable end of the cable, the roller shaft having a roller wheel positioned at the end thereof and a compression spring positioned thereover, the roller shaf

Abstract: A device for adjusting positions of a bicycle's handlebar is engaged to a steerer tube and includes a base element and a pivotal element which receives the handlebar therein, the base element is securely engaged to the steerer tube, the pivotal element has a second hole defined transversely therein for receiving a rod therein and two slots defined in a toothed under surface of the pivotal element, which communicate with the second hole, the base element has two fourth holes defined therein and a toothed surface defined in an upper surface thereof for the toothed surface of the pivotal element to engage with the threaded surface of the base element and two bolts extend through the fourth holes, the two slots and to threadedly engage with threaded holes defined in the rod received in the second hole such that the handlebar and the pivotal element can be pivoted corresponding to an axis of the rod.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a vehicle having a steering shaft includes an elongated crank having a first end operably fixedly connected to an end of the steering shaft and a steering plate rotatably connected to a second end of the elongated crank and having a pair of laterally displaced handles connected thereto, such that the steering plate is rotatable about the steering shaft and may further include at least one idler crank having a first end rotatably connected to a portion of the vehicle and a second end rotatably connected to the steering plate.

Abstract: A double damper flywheel having a rotating mass including a plurality of annular parts, a first part carrying a hub having a bearing for the rotation of a second mass and another annular part having an annular plate provided with an axially oriented external cylindrical skirt. The plate includes a first group of radial lugs for fixing to the first annular part and a second group of radial lugs for mounting springs acting between the two masses. The second group of lugs are offset axially and circumferentially with respect to the first group of lugs.

Abstract: A low profile bicycle pedal having a pedal body supported by a pedal shaft to be rotatably about an axis of the pedal shaft and at a least pair of clamping members attached to the pedal body for releasably coupling a cleat of a cyclist's shoe thereto. Preferably, at least one of the clamping members is pivotally coupled to the pedal body. The cleat has a substantially C-shape with a pair of attachment portions for coupling the cleat to the cyclist's shoe, and connecting portion for interconnecting the attachment portions together. The attachment portions and the connecting portions form a pedal shaft receiving notch for accommodating the pedal shaft when coupled to the pedal body. The pedal body is provided with a pair of substantially identical clamping members which are pivotally coupled to the pedal body. Each clamping member has front and rear cleat engaging surfaces with the rear cleat engaging surface being spaced farther than the front cleat engaging surface from the center of the pedal body.

Abstract: A reduction in size and weight of an engine block is achieved by the described balancer shaft arrangement in which the balancer shaft bearing balancer weights at opposite ends is rotatably mounted in a pipe member fixedly attached to an exterior wall of the engine block. The balancer shaft contains an axial opening which communicates with the lubricating oil supply system of the engine in order to conduct lubricating oil to associated parts of the arrangement.

Abstract: A rotating log saw clamp having a clamp infeed section and a clamp outfeed section located adjacent a log saw blade. The clamp infeed section and clamp outfeed section are coupled for rotation together with the log during sawing of at least a portion of the log by the log saw blade.

Abstract: A circular saw with a spreading mechanism employing hydraulic cylinders for opening and closing a main vise about a workpiece to be crosscut by a saw blade, and a carrier vise for spreading and for advancing the workpiece for crosscutting, the tightening and loosening of the main vise about the workpiece, and the spreading by the carrier vise is controlled by a hydraulic sequencing circuit resulting in lower manufacturing cost of the saw.

Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences movably attached to a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade. A fixed clamping arrangement is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimizes the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces.

Abstract: The automatic machine for the preparation of hot beverage infusions such as coffee being formed by a group formed of a body facing a boiler intended to be brought closer to each other in order to form an infusion chamber. The machine having, between the body and the boiler, at the infusion chamber: reception members intended to receive an individual package containing the product to be infused, the reception members being intended to secure temporarily the package between the body and the boiler; a position fixing element for guiding and maintaining the package in a vertical position when the reception members are present; and an automatic ejection member which ejects the package simply by gravity, the displacement of the package being perpendicular to the axis of the machine.

Abstract: A clamshell griddle is designed so that the rising, lowering and rotating motions of the platen and the setting of distance between the griddle and the platen main body can be effected automatically and in one stroke by the operation of a single motor, thereby resulting in simple structure and low price.

Abstract: A cooking grill modified by a sleeve to convert the grill into a food smoker in which there is a sleeve of rolled form carried on the cooking grill to position a food supporting grill spaced from the source of heat, and providing handles on the sleeve in position to allow removal of the sleeve to free up access to the fuel in the cooking grill. The rolled form constitutes a kit and are adapted to extend the utility of the cooking grill for food smoking treatment.

Abstract: A grain cake baking machine having an upper mold, a ring mold and a lower mold, with the upper and lower molds sliding in the ring mold and defining a mold cavity, a first drive for moving the lower mold relative to the ring mold between a vent position and an intermediate baking position, and an unload position extending to the upper end of the ring mold for discharging the cake, a second drive for moving the upper mold relative to the ring mold between a load position out of the ring mold for loading grain and unloading a cake, and a baking position within the ring mold, a third drive for loading a charge of grain into the ring mold when the upper and lower molds are in the load positions, with the first drive moving the lower mold to the load position for venting the mold cavity, and heaters for the upper and lower molds.

Abstract: A meat roasting device having an automatically rotated barbecue grill mainly comprising: a furnace frame, a barbecue grill, and a driving device, wherein said driving device is fixed on the support plate of the furnace frame, and is engageable with a barbecue grill having an elastic clamping force by a driving bushing. When the driving device rotates, the barbecue grill may be driven to rotate by the driving bushing in the furnace frame.

Abstract: A gas barbecue that has a housing having a generally rectangular shape with opposing side and end walls, an open interior, an open top, gas control means, a cooking grill, a primary burner assembly located below the cooking grill, and an upper radiant burner. The upper radiant burner is positioned above the cooking grill and includes a tube burner and a radiating means. The radiating means has a perforated mesh with the tube burner positioned beneath the perforated mesh such that heat generated by the tube burner passes through holes in the perforated mesh thereby heating the perforated mesh and causing the mesh to generate and direct infrared radiant heat into the open interior of the barbecue. The holes in the perforated mesh help to enhance the heating of the radiating means and assist in the radiation of infrared heat into the open interior of the barbecue.

Abstract: An interface between an aseptic or pasteurized product supply vessel, one or more product dispensing machines, and a cleaning liquid supply vessel is disclosed. The interface can be used for directing milk and other foods from a process line to a packaging or other machine. In one variation, the interface has first and second spaced liquid supply valves, arranged in series, between the cleaning liquid inlet and the product dispensing machine outlet. The piping between the two valves can be drained, and optionally filled with steam or other sterilizing fluid, to provide a barrier between the cleaning fluid upstream of one valve and the food located downstream of the other valve which is en route to the packaging machine. In another variation, the interface has a product supply valve, a drain isolation valve, a drain between those two valves and itself controlled by a drain valve, and a cleaning liquid supply valve.

Abstract: A calender includes at least one roller stack. The upper roller and lower roller of the roller stacks are deflection compensation rollers. The upper roller and/or the lower roller have an outer covering made of a flexible plastic and is designed to bend easily. The roller adjacent to the upper and lower roller is a hard roller.

Abstract: A solder paste stencil printing apparatus in which a stencil plate having a porous figure printing area may be used for single component solder paste application. The printing operation is performed by alignment of the stencil pattern figure over the appropriate component substrate pads. With the stencil plate being held in place by downward force, solder paste is dispensed over the stencil plate pattern allowing gravity flow of the paste material into the stencil pattern pores. Excess paste material is squeegeed level to the top surface of the stencil plate and the plate lifted from the substrate surface leaving solder paste in the configured pattern. An associated stencil plate holder matched to the printer head shaft allows any number of stencil plate patterns to be made available for solder paste application.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for lithographic printing plates includes a rotating elastomeric roller that contacts imaged plates, which are typically (although not necessarily) carried on a rotary cylinder, at a velocity different from the velocity (if any) of the plate. The roller may spin in the direction of, or opposite to, that of the cylinder and at substantially different speed. Typically, the apparatus is mounted proximate to the cylinder, circumferentially adjacent to the imaging system, and is retractable so as to be selectively engaged when imaging is complete. The apparatus may include, in addition to or in lieu of the elastomeric roller, a second retractable cleaning member for rubbing the imaged plate with a cleaning fluid. The second cleaning member may be an elongated cartridge having an absorbent towel exposed along one face thereof. A cleaning fluid is dispensed onto the towel by, for example, a spraying device. The cartridge is then extended to urge the towel against the printing plate as it rotates.

Abstract: A method for cleaning cylinders of a rotary printing press having washer and suction devices and an adjacently mounted dryer which shortens the down time during the cleaning operation and at the same time satisfies safety requirements. At the beginning of a cleaning process, the dryer is reduced from its normal operating output level to a predetermined lower operating output level which eliminates the risk of combustion with cleaning fluid vapors. At the end of the cleaning process, the operating output of the dryer is increased from its reduced level to its normal operating level in a significantly shortened period of time, as compared to conventional practice, resulting in reduced down time for the printing machine during the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A rotating floor is provided for rotating a motor vehicle so that the motor vehicle attains a new heading. The rotating floor includes a platform supporting the motor vehicle. The platform is supported above-ground by a plurality of wheels oriented in concentric circles which run along races oriented in concentric circles. A motor is provided with an output shaft coaxial with a rotational center point of the platform. The motor is connected to the platform in a direct drive relationship. A chamber is oriented beneath the platform and housing the motor. The chamber can be accessed through a manhole in the platform and is sized sufficiently to allow a person to enter therein for maintenance to the motor. A tunnel is provided extending from the chamber which provides a person with access to a bottom of the platform.

Abstract: A polyethylene chock box which is secured to the railroad car sidescreen by means of removable blind fasteners, thereby greatly decreasing labor costs and well as future maintenance expenses. The chock boxes have a contoured lower surface with drain holes to permit water to drain from the boxes and to permit water to flow beneath the boxes so the railroad car can drain as well. The resilient polyethylene prevents the chipping and denting of the vehicle doors, while also reducing weight.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet (10) includes an upper surface (11) and a pair of opposing support sides (14, 15). The pallet (10) also includes at least one reinforcing bar channel (50) and a reinforcing bar (40) received within reinforcing bar channel (50). A twin-sheet pallet (10) is formed vacuum-forming a first plastic sheet (33a) to a first mold section (30) and a second plastic sheet (33b) to a second mold sheet (31), wherein a preselected portion of the second mold section (31) is sealed such that the second plastic sheet (33b) is not vacuum-formed. The mold sections (30, 31) are then moved together and the sheets (33a, 33b) are compressed together at preselected locations. A thermoformed, plastic pallet (10) for bearing and positioning a load, also includes and a retaining wall assembly (90) carried by the upper surface (11); the retaining wall assembly (90) including a wall-receiving slot (91) in the upper surface (11) and a retaining wall means (92) received and positioned within the slot (91).