Abstract: An air-conditioning register includes a rotation direction changing mechanism, which changes the rotation direction of an operation knob and transmits the rotation to a shut-off damper to tilt the shut-off damper about damper pivots. The rotation direction changing mechanism includes arm portions and a cam member. Each arm portion includes a sliding end portion at the distal end, which moves along an arcuate passage having a center that coincides with the damper pivots in accordance with the tilting motion. A cam groove of the cam member includes sliding regions, along which the sliding end portions slide when the shut-off damper is tilted. Each sliding region includes free running regions on its opposite ends. The moving amount of the sliding end portions along the arcuate passage in the free running regions is less than that in an intermediate region when the cam member is rotated by a certain angle.

Abstract: A quick-release grating comprising an actuator mounted to the grating, a frame to which the grating is rotatably mounted via of grating hinges, and a safety pin which prevents re-closure of the grating once it has been opened. The actuator comprises spring-loaded deadbolts which slide through frame and grating bores in order to lock the grating in position relative to the frame. The actuator is enclosed within a locked box which prevents unauthorized opening of the grating. An alternate embodiment quick release grating provides for an actuator disposed remote to the grating, which has the benefit of obviating the need to enclose the actuator within a locked box. An additional alternate embodiment quick release grating provides for deadbolts mounted to a grating top member and a grating bottom member. An additional alternate embodiment quick release grating incorporates a transwall structure, whereby an externally-mounted grating may be released via an internally-mounted remote actuator.

Abstract: An impact beam structure for automobile side doors is disclosed. In the impact beam structure, a protector panel is mounted to the impact beam by a plurality of guide rods, which are welded to the protector panel and pass through the guide holes of the impact beam prior to being tightened by nuts. The guide rods individually have both a stopper at the welded junction and an uneven part at a section between the impact beam and the stopper. The uneven part normally spaces the protector panel apart from the impact beam and is selectively thrust into the guide hole in the event of a side collision, thus allowing the protector panel to primarily absorb impact energy. The stopper selectively comes into contact with the impact beam, thus stopping the impact energy absorbing operation of the protector panel and allowing the impact beam to secondarily absorb the impact energy.

Abstract: The impact girder extruded in a light metal alloy and extending in the vehicle door approximately in the direction of travel can be fixed at both ends in such a way that a profile wall of the impact girder faces towards the inside of the vehicle as the inner flange and a second profile wall of the impact girder provided at a distance from the first forms an outer flange. Fastened to the impact girder is a hollow chamber profile, similarly extruded from a light metal alloy, with at least two profile chambers, the hollow chamber profile protruding into the door box below the impact girder and the profile chambers extending parallel to the latter. The hollow chamber profile provides additional impact protection.

Abstract: A set of hinged covers adapted to sealably close the rectangular hatch on the roof of a railway hopper car having a coaming running along the hatch perimeter. Each cover has a vaulted formation to shed water, the long edges of the cover being rolled to define canopies which protectively shield the coaming and a compressible gasket secured to the underside of the cover which presses against the coaming to effect a seal against contaminants. The cover structure is a sandwich laminate of high rigidity and strength constituted by an end grain balsa wood core panel to whose faces are bonded fiberglass skins. The skins are extended beyond the ends of the panel and are interlaminated to define channel-shaped end flanges which cooperate with hinged hold-down bars having an opposed channel formation within which a compressible gasket is nested to seal the ends of the cover.

Abstract: A multi-directional vent for the ventilation opening of a vehicle includes a vent frame having a vent cover pivoted at its front side to the frame and having an air intake opening in the front of the vent cover. A door is pivoted to the vent cover to selectively close or open the vent cover intake opening. Gear and bell crank operators are provided to pivot the cover about its hinge connection to the frame and to pivot the door about its hinge connection to the cover. The frame is screened and the operators extend through the screen to enable operation from inside the vehicle. With the door open and the vent cover closed a conventional scoop type operation is provided. With the door closed and the vent cover open a conventional pivoted ventilation operation is provided. With both the door and vent cover open ventilation is provided in all directions when the vehicle is at rest, and when in motion a venturi effect is achieved to extract air from the interior of the vehicle.