Abstract: An advanced four-point seat belt may include: a three-point seat belt to diagonally hold a passenger with a webbing; and a motorized seat belt to allow a tongue of the webbing to maintain a state of being fixed to a side surface of a seat cushion to an initial position. In particular, when a vehicle collision situation is recognized, the motorized seat belt forms an “X” shape webbing confinement state by withdrawing the webbing and another webbing to locate the tongue at a central position of a body of the passenger.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back and a headrest adjustably coupled to the seat back. The headrest defines a first guide passage and a second guide passage, each extending through the headrest. The seat assembly includes a retractor and a belt. The belt extends continuously from a first end to a second end. The first end is engaged with the retractor. The belt has a looped portion from the first guide passage to the second guide passage. The belt extends from the looped portion through the first guide passage to the first end, and extends from the looped portion through the second guide passage to the second end.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes: a lumbar support section that is displaceable between an upper limit position and a lower limit position, and is displaceable between an advanced position pressing against the lumbar region and a retreated position further to a seatback rear side than the advanced position; a displacement mechanism that displaces a frontmost location of the lumbar support section; a rear collision prediction section that predicts a rear-end collision to a vehicle; and an actuation controller that, in cases in which a vehicle rear-end collision has been predicted by the rear collision prediction section in a state in which the frontmost location of the lumbar support section is not at the lower limit position, controls the displacement mechanism, and sets the frontmost location at the lower limit position and at the advanced position.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator including: first to third rotation axes provided at a fixed section and having axes in a same direction, first to third rotation sections provided at positions offset from centers of the corresponding rotation axes, and rotating in response to the corresponding rotation axes; a movable section including first and third side walls facing the first and the third rotation sections in a first direction on a movable plane, and a second side wall facing the second rotation section in a second direction, the movable section moving on a predetermined movable plane in response to rotation of the first to third rotation sections; and a biasing section biasing the movable section with respect to the fixed section in at least one of the first direction and the second direction, and making at least one of the first to third rotation sections abut against the corresponding side wall.

Abstract: A self-tamping coffee holder tamps loose ground coffee obtaining richer flavor. The coffee holder includes a holder base and a holder cap. Coffee is loosely deposited in the coffee holder and the holder cap is attached to the holder base. An internal filter chamber holds the coffee and allows tamping of the coffee into a compacted state. The filter chamber may be formed by a fixed filter or by a removeable filter constructed of filter paper, nylon mesh, metal mesh, or any material capable of holding the coffee while allowing a flow of heated water through the coffee. The tamping may be by a spring or by a resilient solid material attached to the coffee holder and may push the coffee down inside the filter or push the filter and the coffee up against the holder lid.

Abstract: In a press with a plunger which is supported by an elastically deformable support structure so as to be linearly movable but otherwise rigidly engaged and with a drive arrangement for the controlled movement of the plunger, the drive arrangement includes no friction or antifriction support joints so that the plunger guide structure is not affected by position errors generated by oil films in bearings or wear of bearings generated by the high press forces effective during operation of the press which could squeeze oil films out of bearing gaps.

Abstract: A garbage can capable of compressing garbage volume consists of an outer cylinder and a top cylinder. A top cover has a top plate with a through hole. The circumference of the top plate extends downwards to form an inner wall and the outer circumference of the top plate extends downwards to form an outer wall such that a space between the outer and inner walls can be formed. The front and the back sides of the space form a front trough and a back trough respectively and a small sheaf is placed on the front and back sections of the left and right hand walls of the space with a pedal located below the upper cover. A reset component includes mainly a first elastic part and a second elastic part. The first elastic part is located inside the front trough of the top cover, and the two ends have been fixed on a wire pedal. The second elastic part is placed inside the back trough of the top cover, and the two ends are fixed respectively on pedal with the wire.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure bonding system for applying pressure onto at least one tile of a workpiece. This system comprises upper and lower gripper members each having first and second gripper ends. The second gripper ends are connected to each other. The first gripper ends are movable relative to each other to receive the workpiece therebetween. Moreover, an upper pressure applicator assembly is slidably engaged to the upper gripper member. The upper pressure applicator assembly is slidable along the upper gripper member between the first and second ends along a length of the workpiece. The workpiece is placed between the upper and lower gripper members with an edge thereof being adjacent the second gripper ends. The upper pressure applicator applies pressure to the tile(s) upon relative movement of the first ends towards the workpiece to a position adjacent the tile(s).

Abstract: A flat base anchored to any hard, smooth surface by two suction cups. Upon this flat base, two shafts rise perpendicular. The base supports a housing which fits over the base shafts. The housing has an opening which accommodates a standard pack of cigarettes, which are placed in the opening top or filter first. Two springs are located above the housing on the base shafts to create tension. Rubber caps at the top of the base shafts, aided with epoxy, contains the springs and housing to the base of the invention so that once the housing is pulled upward by one's hand the housing then is forced down toward the base from the tension of the springs and consequently "packing" the cigarettes.

Abstract: An installation for compacting concrete mix includes a frame which has a lower plate and an upper plate between which concrete mix can be accommodated. The plates can be pressed in the direction towards one another and can be made to vibrate with respect to one another in order to compact the mix. Each plate is connected to the frame via an associated spring-mounted massive body.

Abstract: A lid is sealed to an integrated circuit package using a spring biased pressure foot that is structurally carried by a secondary loading jig to impose sealant curing load on the lid. The secondary jig attaches to the fabrication boat at a position indexed to apply optimal assembly force at the package center normal of the package lid plane.

Abstract: A food press apparatus for squeezing liquid from a food product in a container. The food press apparatus includes a drive component operatively connected to a frame. The drive component moves a plunger, which is operatively connected to a press plate that engages one end of the container. A spring compressible between the plunger and the press plate biases the press plate against the container end. A platform for engaging another end of the container is positioned in spaced relationship with the press plate to allow introduction of the container therebetween. As the press plate moves toward the container engaging platform, the food product is compressed therebetween to squeeze liquid from the food product.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a recording medium having a recording disc and a center core having an adhesive coated area of attachment to the recording disc. The apparatus includes a horizontal base member, a support member rigidly fixed on the base member, and a core support table secured on the base member for carrying the center core placed thereon. The recording disc is placed on the attachment area of the center core placed on the core support table. A pushing tool is supported for vertical movement along the support member toward and away from the core support table. The pushing tool is moved downward to push the recording disc against the attachment area of the center core so as to bond the recording disc on the center core.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a collision detecting sensor for detecting a collision of the vehicle, a retractor with a preloader for providing a tension to a seat belt in response to a signal from the collision detecting sensor, and an air bag device. The air bag device includes a bag which is broken in response to the signal from the collision detecting sensor, thus forming a clearance between a passenger and a seat back.

Abstract: Sewing machine with an upper feed mechanism is provided with a stroke-adjusting system in which the drive connection between the upper feed foot and the presser foot has a three-position control device for automatic adjustment of the height position of the upper feed system. This is preferably a hydraulic control device, whose hydraulic cylinder is subdivided by its adjusting piston into two chambers. A hydraulic difference measuring unit is provided wherein the two chambers 82a, 82b of the hydraulic cylinder 59 are connected via two antiparallel-connected pressure relief valves 71, 71'. Each pressure relief valve 71, 71' preferably consists of a spring-tensioned check valve R and a pressure-limiting valve D arranged downstream of it.

Abstract: A bonding assembly for bonding carbon fibrous segments with adhesive on one side, to a frustoconical surface of an annular clutch member. The bonding assembly includes a ring member with a frustoconical surface complementary to the annular clutch member frustoconical surface. Three of the segments are spaced circumferentially apart and sandwiched between the annular clutch member frustoconical surface and the ring member frustoconical surface with, the adhesive sides of the segments positioned against the annular clutch member. The clutch member and ring member are placed on a base with a post extending vertically upward through the concentric axis of the clutch and ring members. A spring mechanism includes a second element for engaging the post and exerting a downward force to clamp the ring member, clutch member, and segments together. The bonding assembly can then be positioned in a source of heat for curing the adhesive under constant force.

Abstract: A trash compactor or other materials loading assembly wherein a flexible memory containing ramrod and associated platen may be flexibly driven against a trash load in such a manner as to assume its general contour and provide good trash compacting efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the ramrod is made of relatively low cost polyvinylchloride (PVC), thereby avoiding the high costs associated with metal components. In addition, the ramrod is flexibly driven by slidable engagement with a PVC piston driver in a seal tight arrangement so as to maintain good liquid tight hydraulic fluid sealing at the side walls of the piston driver. This assembly may be used either in a trash compacting operation or in the high density compacting of new and recyclable materials. The present invention is also directed to a new and improved method of compacting materials in a high density, low cost and efficient mode of operation.

Abstract: Shaped pieces of insulation having non-uniform thickness but substantially uniform density are formed by simultaneously compacting and consolidating at least first and second portions of a particulate insulation material in an independent manner so as to form a shaped piece of insulation in which the first and second portions have different thicknesses in the direction of compaction. The degree of compaction of the first portion is the same as the degree of compaction of the second portion so that the shaped piece of insulation has substantially uniform density.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing multi cavity medication cards wherein each cavity serves as a receptacle containing individual doses of medication such as, for example, pills or tablets. The apparatus includes a frame with a reciprocally movable platen and changeable medication card support plates mounted below the movable platen. Dependent upon the configuration of the card to be crushed, a crusher plate is attached to the platen having protrusions formed thereon to engage each of the cavities of the card. The card support plate may be of a substantially solid construction for crushing pills contained within each cavity of the card, or may be apertured so as to permit expulsion of the medication from the card as the card is crushed.

Abstract: An impact crushing apparatus, primarily adapted to crush aluminum or steel beverage cans, which is powered by manual forces assisted by resulant inertia which achieves axial compression of metal containers between parallel surfaces supported on a stationary base and moveable ramming assembly. The subject device has a ram with attached slide appendage which appendage is adapted to reciprocate through base, and has a ramming head on one end and a handle for securing firm grasp of said ramming assembly on the opposite, upper end.

Abstract: An electrically actuated can crusher having a housing, a motor mounted within the housing and a shaft rotatable by the motor and downwardly driven thereby having a crush plate thereon. The housing also includes a bottom crush plate allowing a can to be crushed to be placed in the housing between the crush plates. The housing includes an access door which, when in the open position, deactivates the motor. In this manner, when the door is closed, the motor can be activated to lower the shaft crush plate to crush a can placed therebetween. The shaft crush plate may include a lever movable in a slot in the housing to align the shaft crush plate in its movement and a reversing switch may be provided in the lever and slot to reverse the direction of movement of the shaft crush plate after crushing of a can.

Abstract: A trash-and-garbage-compactor apparatus having a power-driven cam lobe, whereby the circular motion of the cam lobe is transferred into an alternating rectilinear motion for the overriding spring-loaded ram rod. The ram rod includes a first tubular ram-rod member and a second ram-rod member having an overriding spring interposed therebetween, the first ram-rod member operably engaging the cam lobe and the second ram-rod member having a pressure plate attached thereto. The pressure plate is formed to be received in a trash receptacle defined by a drawer slidably mounted to the compactor housing.

Abstract: A novel mechanical power coupling means employed with a novel material compacting apparatus and utilizing either reciprocal or continuous drive inputs with the coupling means. In the preferred compacting apparatus embodiment a reciprocal drive is used such that the compactor is powered by both reciprocating movements of the input shaft. The compactor may be driven in a variety of speed/torque arrangements using the novel coupling means. The coupling means includes a wrapped spring clutch which automatically engages the highest speed mechanical arrangement capable of overcoming the load on the output shaft.

Abstract: A portable cage for compressing food articles during processing of the articles as by heating, smoking or the like. The cage includes means for moving a pair of trays toward each other to apply pressure on food articles between the trays and means for limiting the pressure so applied to a predetermined amount. The device is further capable of applying different predetermined pressures to articles on different trays, the amounts of such predetermined pressures being determined so as to offset the differences of the weights of the articles on the trays to thereby make the total pressures on the food articles on each tray more uniform. The mechanism is easily operable to open and close the cage for loading and unloading of the articles but is capable of developing substantial pressures when the trays are pressed against the food articles. Another feature of the improved cage is the provision of trays having spaced screens with mechanisms between the screens for bringing pressure on the food articles.

Abstract: A portable cage for compressing food articles during processing of the articles as by heating, smoking or the like. The cage includes means for moving a pair of trays toward each other to apply pressure on food articles between the trays and means for limiting the pressure so applied to a predetermined amount. The device is further capable of applying different predetermined pressures to articles on different trays, the amounts of such predetermined pressures being determined so as to offset the differences of the weights of the articles on the trays to thereby make the total pressures on the food articles on each tray more uniform. The mechanism is easily operable to open and close the cage for loading and unloading of the articles but is capable of developing substantial pressures when the trays are pressed against the food articles. Another feature of the improved cage is the provision of trays having spaced screens with mechanisms between the screens for bringing pressure on the food articles.

Abstract: A compact can crusher in which used beverage cans and the like are dropped into a chute and are crushed flat between an oscillating crusher plate and a wall of the chute, the crushed cans being dropped through an open lower end of the chute. A drive motor is coupled to the crusher plate to apply maximum thrust at opposite ends of the oscillating stroke, so that cans are effectively flattened to a minimum thickness. In one form spring stored energy adds to the initial crushing action when the most pressure is needed, and provision is made to prevent cans from jamming in the chute and to prevent the mechanism from being jammed by articles which are not readily crushed.

Abstract: A press suitable for making cheese comprises a pressure assembly which is displaceable along guides projecting from the base of the press towards or away from a reaction yoke member formed by the base, the pressure assembly being constituted by first and second members which are resiliently biassed away from each other. Friction catches are provided which, in an operative position, frictionally engage the guides to resist displacement of the pressure assembly away from the reaction member.

Abstract: A method of portioning a material and a portioning machine for carrying out the method, the portioning machine comprising a body having an inlet and outlet with gate means movable within the body to selectively open the inlet and the outlet and piston means for compacting material in said body to a predetermined density and for extruding a predetermined quantity of material from the outlet. The piston may be provided with pressure sensitive means which are adjustable so that the density of material compacted can be preselected.

Abstract: A simplified heavy-duty press having a bed and a support head mounted from the press bed for limited vertical movement under predetermined spring preload. The entire drive (less motor) and rams are carried from the press head and these components are movable away from the bed when the tools between the ram and bed encounter an obstruction beyond the preload. The preload limits maximum operative force that will be transmitted in the mechanisms where precise control of the components/dimensions may be difficult to maintain because of manufacturing limitations or because of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling cheese hoops with curd and for compressing the curd to form a finished cheese. The invention includes a hoop cart for supporting a plurality of generally cylindrical cheese hoops in closely spaced aligned arrangement and positioned such that they can each be filled from the top. The apparatus also includes filler trays which are receivable on the aligned cheese hoops to permit curds to be poured therein. Finally, the apparatus includes a vertically oriented press having a plurality of aligned downwardly movable plungers. The press is designed to receive the hoop cart and filler trays such that the plungers of the press are vertically aligned with the cheese hoops whereby the plungers may be forced downwardly into the cheese hoops to pack and to compress the curds therein. The plungers may then be removed from the hoops and the cart pulled from under the press such that the filler trays may be removed from the hoops.