Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of impact absorption blocks and vehicle seatbacks and seats comprising impact absorption blocks. One embodiment of a vehicle seatback assembly comprises a seatback frame, a seat pad and an impact absorption block. The seatback frame comprises a first side member having an upper end and a lower end, a second side member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first side member and having an upper end and a lower end and a cross-member extending between the first and second side members. The seat pad overlies the seatback frame to define a forward surface. The impact absorption block is positioned between the seat pad and the cross member.

Abstract: A gripper assembly includes at least one gripper jaw, a fluid driven actuator for moving the at least one gripper jaw, and a valve located adjacent the fluid driven actuator for selectively delivering a fluid to the fluid driven actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for encoding a video signal having at least one frame with a plurality of blocks including a current block, including generating, for at least a selected pixel in the current block, a predicted value for at least one pixel located in a row i and a column j of the current block using a processor and according to the following equation: Xij=Li+Aj?C; wherein Xij is the predicted value, Li is the value of a pixel to the left of the current block, Aj is the value of a pixel in a row above the current block and C is the value of a pixel in the row above and the column to the left of the current block and encoding the current block using the predicted value.

Abstract: A car wash system for large vehicles, such as trucks and busses, in which the arrival of a vehicle initiates a process of directing hot water from a supply tank through a relatively long supply line to a spray system. Water standing in the supply line is prevented for a time from going to the spray nozzles and, instead, is directed back to the source. This allows the temperature in the line to reach a predetermined desired value before washing is started. Water is recirculated at a faster rater than it is dispensed once the desired temperature has been reached.

Abstract: A multi-axis coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members. The multi-axis coupling apparatus provides a first coupling member connectable to a substantially cylindrical boom for providing linear and rotational adjustment along and about a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical boom. A second coupling member is connected to the first coupling member and is connectable to a modular tooling member for providing adjustment to the modular tooling member about and along an axis extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical boom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for measuring the vibration of a mirror in a vehicle. The method includes attaching a source of electromagnetic radiation to the vehicle, attaching a detector of electromagnetic radiation to the vehicle, positioning the source so that radiation emitted thereby strikes the mirror and reflects therefrom to strike the detector, driving the vehicle while emitting radiation from the source, recording the positions on the detector where the radiation strikes, and determining a vibration index based on the spatial distribution of the positions on the detector where the radiation strikes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a body structure of a vehicle incorporating a body panel support bracket. In one embodiment, a body structure for a vehicle comprises a first body panel having a cantilevered portion and a second body panel adjacent the first body panel. A panel hinge has a hinge arm attached to the second body panel and a base portion. The cantilevered portion of the first body panel extends over a portion of the panel hinge. A body panel support bracket is attached to the base portion of the panel hinge and comprises a body panel support portion configured to support the cantilevered portion of the first body panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary liquid heat generator including a housing and a rotor disposed within the housing. A flexible pressure relief diaphragm is attached to the rotor. The pressure relief diaphragm includes a seal ring that engages a seal seat attached to the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a protective cover for an object stored outdoors. The cover is weather-proof, and a photographic image of plants, vegetation, ground cover or foliage is applied to the outer surface of the cover, whereby the appearance of the outer surface of the cover is designed to emulate the exterior appearance of outdoor plants, vegetation, ground cover and foliage, thereby serving to camouflage objects which are being protected by the cover. A low reflectivity texture is imparted to the outer surface of the cover.

Abstract: An absorbent single-use article includes an absorbent element for storing bodily fluids and a backsheet that is fluid impermeable, at least in sections. The fluid impermeable backsheet has a microporous breathable film. A moisture indicator is provided on the side of the film facing the absorbent element in the form of a visual perceptible textured arrangement applied directly to the film, wherein the textured arrangement detaches itself beyond recognition upon contact with aqueous fluid.

Abstract: A tool for positioning molding, such as crown molding, during installation, has a base member adapted to be releasably hung on a wall near the ceiling. A retaining member is vertically slidably mounted on the base member and has an upper end portion disposed at an acute angle to hold a piece of molding at a desired attitude between the retaining member and the wall. The retaining member is slid and locked in vertically and locked in position to hold the molding in place while it is fastened to the wall, after which the tool is removed from the wall.

Abstract: One or more pluggable install components may be used with a modular install configuration engine. Each install component carries instructions that allow an install components to be used with the configuration engine. Each install component also carries payload files for deployment onto a user's end system. Each install component may be created and updated by a plurality of vendors or programming groups. Upon installation, the install component and the modular install configuration engine are integrated to create a unique install program tailored to the needs of a particular customer.

Abstract: A platform element that is connectable to a secondary structure using a clip that is adapted to be installed in a storage position or a use position with respect to the platform element. The platform element includes a substantially planar panel and at least one upstanding wall that extends generally downward from the panel and is adapted to space the panel from an external support surface. The clip is adapted to connect the upstanding wall to the secondary structure when the clip is in the use position. A receptacle is formed on an underside of the panel. The receptacle is adapted to engage the clip to maintain the clip in a fixed position with respect to the panel when the clip is in the storage position.

Abstract: A structural member is designed to define a fluid distribution conduit receiving cavity within its interior volume. An elongate extruded plastic cover snap-fits onto the member to conceal the conduit but permits nozzles and the like to extend therethrough so that fluid may be distributed from the conduit and/or serviced as necessary without removing the cover. The cover effectively supports the conduit by trapping it against a compression pad on the cavity floor.

Abstract: A headrest includes at least one seat back mounting member and a connector coupling a cushion to the mounting member. The cushion connector is movable when the mounting member is invertingly mounted on the seat back to deploy the cushion at different angular positions. The mounting member may be a flexible wire bendable to accommodate different seat back sizes and to mount the headrest about the seat back. Alternately, the cushion connector is mountable in one or more different angled bores for deploring the cushion at different angles. Alternately, a hinge may be coupled to the connector to movably deploy a cushion at different angular positions. Alternately, the cushion may be pivotally mounted in a recess in the seat back and deployable from a retracted position to at least one forward extending deployed position. The cushion is also extensible relative to the seat back.

Abstract: A method of making a pump (10) including a polymeric pump housing (12) and a drive shaft (14) mounted for rotation in a bearing (16), the bearing (16) having on an exterior surface at least one engagement formation (44), —the method including the step of molding the pump housing (12) around the bearing (16) such that the housing (12) co-operates with the engagement formation (44) to restrict movement of the bearing (16) with respect to the housing (12).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vacuum cup mount including the steps of providing a housing having a mount base and a generally upstanding wall extending from the mount base, providing a retainer having an aperture that extends from an upper side of the retainer to a lower side of the retainer and a plurality of recesses formed on the lower side of the retainer in communication with the aperture, placing the retainer on the mount base so that the lower side of the retainer faces the mount base, and bending at least a portion of the generally upstanding wall so that the bent portion of the generally upstanding wall engages the upper surface of the retainer to secure the retainer with respect to the mount base.

Abstract: An ion source includes a pair of pole elements, at least one shunt element, and at least one magnetic field producing element that produces a magnetic field. A gap is defined between the pole elements of the pair of pole elements. The at least one magnetic field producing element and the at least one shunt element cooperate to define at least a part of a magnetic field conducting circuit that conducts the magnetic field between the pole elements of the pair of pole elements. The pair of pole elements and the at least one shunt element are formed from a material that consists essentially of ferrous metal having an overall carbon content of less than 0.08 percent.

Abstract: A molded plastic mixing station housing for mixing water and chemical for car wash applications comprises a generally right hexahedron having a deep top recess which visually divides the housing into parallel spaced apart towers. A cylindrical mixing reservoir is recessed into the front of the housing such that a Hyrominder can be mounted in the top recess to overlie the open top of the mixing reservoir. A stand-off welt wraps around the entire housing just below the vertical center line to provide a stand-off feature for both wall mounting as well as the mounting of a control panel on one of the side surfaces of the housing. Mounting bracket slots are provided in the four upper corners of the housing for both wall mounting and control panel mounting. A deep recess runs down the back side to provide space for an overflow tube. The housing is preferably rotocast from high density polyethylene and may be color coded to match with the supply for a particular chemical.

Abstract: A variable orifice for use in connection with a conduit designed to convey particulate material comprising a set of semi-circular plates mounted on respective concentric shafts so that they may be rotated in opposite directions between a first position in which they extend across the interior of the conduit for maximum flow resistance to a second folded condition where they are adjacent and parallel to one another to present minimum flow resistance. An actuator is connected through the concentric shafts to the plates and mounts on the outside of the conduit surface. The unit is operated by hand crank and has a position indicator. The size of the valve plates is such that, even when fully extended relative to one another and lying across the cross-section of the conduit, only about a 30% restriction is produced.