Abstract: A protective floor mat for use in supporting a chair on a floor comprises a mat base for contact with the floor, and a graphic layer having a decorative pattern. A first adhesive material is disposed between and interconnects the mat base and the graphic layer. The floor mat also comprises a transparent upper protective layer for contact by the chair. A second adhesive material is disposed between and interconnects the upper protective layer and the graphic layer. Because the graphic layer covers the mat base, the mat base may be made from regrind or reprocessed plastic material. The graphic layer is visible through the transparent protective layer.

Abstract: A scuff cover (10) for protecting an elongate inner element (14), such as a hose or a cable, comprises a flexible base tube (30) having an inner surface (34) defining a central passage (38) for movably receiving the inner element. The base tube (30) has an outer surface (36). A rub strip (40) projects from the outer surface (36) of the base tube (30). The rub strip (40) comprises an inner layer of material (42) on the base tube (30) and an outer layer of material (44). The outer layer of material (44) has a lower coefficient of friction than the inner layer of material (42) and forms the radially outermost surface of the scuff cover (10). The outer layer of material (44) is preferably ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for overmolding crosslinked tubing ends onto a crosslinkable tube. The tube, made of a first polymer, has an inner diameter. The tube is inserted at least partially into a mold and at least partially onto a cylindrical mandrel having a base and a tip. The mandrel has an outer diameter dimensioned to allow the inner diameter of the tube to slide thereon. The mold contains a void for injection of a second polymer. The void co-acts with the mandrel and the tube to define an overmolding shape. After injection molding the second polymer over the tube and the mandrel in the void of the mold, the first and second polymers are crosslinked. Different embodiments of the overmolding shape are taught.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a movable subframe of a semi-trailer includes at least a pair of transversely spaced pins. Each pin is extendable into and retractable from an opening formed in its respective longitudinally extending main member of the subframe and a selected aligned one of a plurality of openings formed in its respective longitudinally extending rail of the trailer main frame. An elastomeric bladder is disposed between the pins and is operatively connected to one or more cables and/or linkage members which in turn are operatively connected to the pins. When the bladder is voided of air and is in its collapsed state, sufficient slack exists in the bladder, cables and/or linkage members to enable the bias force of a coil spring disposed about each of the pins to independently cause the pins to extend through their respective aligned openings to lock the subframe in a selected longitudinal position with respect to the trailer main frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of modular table model hot plates for cooking having substantially square or rectangular outlines in plan view, comprising the following features in combination: (a) each hot plate forms a module having one or more sides of the square or rectangular outlines exactly matching one or more sides of one or more other hot plates of the set when placed in close fitting side by side relationship; (b) each hot plate of the set having a vitreous ceramic top covering one or more radiant heating element bodies; (c) said vitreous ceramic tops of the set, when the individual modules are placed side by side with said matching sides in close fitting contact, combine to form a level top surface, interrupted by joint lines of minimal width between the vitreous ceramic tops. A conventional silicone adhesive may be used for bonding the vitreous ceramic top onto the shoulder or flange.

Abstract: An assembly (110) for joining at least two tubes (12, 14) is provided by a connector (112), a plurality of linear inserts (20) and a plurality of ring members (30). Each of the tubes (12, 14) has a tube end (16) and an internal conduit (18). The connector (112) has a central portion (115) with an internal conduit (118) having a permanently formed feature (119) therein, and a plurality of arms (117). Each arm (117) extends from the central portion (115) and terminates in an arm end (116), such that there is one arm (117) and one arm end (116) paired with each tube end (16). The internal conduit (118) of the connector (112) extends through the arms (117) to the respective arm ends (116). There is one linear insert (20) for each arm end/tube end pair.

Abstract: A movable subframe or slider for a semi-trailer is modified to provide a storage bay between the slider and semi-trailer for accommodating a walk ramp and its carrier hardware. A reinforced elongated spacer cap is mounted on the uppermost surface of each main member and associated cross members of the slider. The spaced-apart parallel caps provide sufficient clearance between the bottom surface of the trailer body and the uppermost surface of the slider cross members, for mounting a walk ramp and its carrier hardware on the underside of the trailer body. The pins and coil springs of the retractable locking pin mechanism of the slider are relocated upwardly into the spacers. Rail guides and low frictions strips also are relocated from the slider main members to the spacer caps. This relocation enables the modified slider to be mounted on standard body rails of a semi-trailer, which are mounted on and depend from the underside of the trailer body.

Abstract: A cam shaft support and enclosure assembly includes a tube formed with a flat on its inboard end. An outboard end of the tube is supported on a spider which in turn is mounted on an axle of a heavy duty vehicle. A bushing is mounted in each of the tube ends, and a shaft is rotatably mounted in and passes completely through the bushings and sealed and lubricated tube. An S-cam is integrally formed on an exposed outboard end of the shaft and the exposed inboard end of the shaft is formed with splines for meshingly engaging a slack adjuster of the vehicle brake system. A support plate formed with a generally D-shaped keyhole is mounted on the suspension beam, and is slip-fittingly engaged by the correspondingly shaped and sized inboard end of the tube. The weld-free keyhole connection of the tube and plate enables the plate to react rotation of the tube without the possibility of fatigue or failure of a weld.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer frame includes one or more cross member/suspension system mounting assemblies which mount axle/suspension systems and provide support against the twisting, parallelogram and S-shaped deflections typically caused by vertical, lateral, longitudinal and roll loads commonly encountered by a vehicle trailer during operation, and which can cause premature wear of trailer frame components. Each cross member/suspension system mounting assembly employs a minimal number of parts to support a single axle/suspension system, and includes a cross member and a suspension assembly mounting member disposed at each end of the cross member. Each suspension assembly mounting member is generally triangular-shaped and includes a horizontally-disposed base and a pair of vertically extending, diagonally opposed gussets.

Abstract: A mold core is provided for producing an overmolded flexible valve. The mold core comprises a mold body, a piston assembly, a piston retaining means, a collet bit positioning means and at least two collet bits. The mold core has a cylindrical void in a distal end and has a pressure means communicated with the cylindrical void. The piston assembly has a piston head sized and adapted for axial movement in the cylindrical void, with a piston shaft extending axially from the head. The shaft is tapered from a larger first diameter at one end to a smaller second diameter at the other end. The piston retaining means has a bore through it to allow insertion of the piston shaft. Each of the at least two collet bits has an inner cylindrical tapered surface segment, the taper of the surface segment being essentially the same as the taper in the piston shaft, and an outer cylindrical surface segment, sized and adapted to be inserted inside the flexible valve.

Abstract: The process of this invention will involve overmolding a thermoplastic or rubbery polymer composition over a thermoplastic hollow tube and a core insert to form a hollow overmolded coupler after the removal of the core insert, the tube entering the coupler at an angle which is less than 90.degree. so as to minimize any freezing of transported water which may reside in the coupler. The combination of the above polymers must satisfy at least two simultaneous conditions. First, the inserted plastic tube must not soften and begin melt flow to the point where it looses structural integrity during the molding processing and second, the overmolded polymer must be capable of forming an essentially leak-proof interface between the coupler and the plastic tube, preferably through either a chemical and/or physical bond between the plastic tube and the overmolded plastic.

Abstract: A unitary molded crosslinked polyethylene tubular connector and method for forming the connector with various end configurations (e.g., molded, belled) is described). The process combines the ease of thermoplastic processing combined with the desirable physical properties of a thermoset. The connector is suitable as a replacement for copper tubes with associated fittings as well as polybutylene tubing.

Abstract: A filter is disposed in the interior cavity of each of the axle spindle sections of a non-drive axle for a heavy duty tractor-trailer, which utilizes internally vented wheel end assemblies. Each filter provides for sufficient air flow from the wheel end assembly cavity into the axle cavity to enable internal venting of any expanding gas from the wheel end assembly cavity into the axle cavity, thereby preventing excessive pressure build-up in the wheel end assembly and possible reduction of the life expectancy of the wheel end assembly main seal. Depending on the filter embodiment employed, the filter prevents or at least lessens the likelihood of migration of contaminates such as oxide scale from the axle cavity into the wheel end assembly cavity, thereby preventing or lessening the likelihood that such contaminates will cause premature wear of the wheel end assembly bearings or main seal.