Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal extends into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a self-aligning blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a lock arm which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and a flex arm which restricts insertion of the stabilizer into the male connector. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connection system (100) for a substantially flat electrical conductor (3) comprising housing means (8) having an axially extending bore (32); an electrical connector (102) having a body (1) capable of making a sliding fit in the axial direction (A) in the bore; securing means (7,11) on the housing means and the body for releasably securing the body in a predetermined position in the bore; wherein the body of the electrical connector further comprises a rear wall (20) for receiving the flat conductor; a through bore (28) extending from the rear wall through the body in the axial direction through which the flat conductor can pass; an upper contact surface (24) extending in the axial direction away from the inner opening (28′) of the through bore, the upper contact surface having an area (13) capable of exerting a force on the flat conductor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction and away from the upper contact surface; a front edge (22) adjacent the upper contact

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical distribution center assembly and a method of constructing the same. The electrical distribution center assembly includes an electrical distribution center member, an electrical connector, a support member which retains the electrical connector and includes at least one cam follower projection, at least one cam lever rotatably mounted to the electrical distribution center member, and a driver member for abutting the cam lever arm. An engagement movement of the driver member causes the cam lever to rotate and engage the cam follower projection thereby multiplying an engagement force to draw together the electrical distribution center member and the electrical connector against a resistance. The cam lever also leverages a disengagement force applied to the driver member to separate the electrical distribution center from the electrical connector.

Abstract: A metering valve arrangement comprises a metering valve member which is angularly adjustable within a metering valve bore provided in a metering valve housing and an adjustment arrangement for adjusting the axial position of the metering valve member within the metering valve bore. The metering valve arrangement includes a first opening provided in the metering valve member which is registerable with a first outlet provided in the metering valve housing to control a first rate of flow of fluid through the first outlet depending on the angular position of the metering valve member within the bore, and a second opening provided in the metering valve member which is registerable with a second outlet provided in the metering valve housing to control a second rate of flow of fluid through the second outlet.

Abstract: A multi-pin electrical connector including a first connector portion and a second connector portion. Seal retaining rings snapped into the connector portions seal and retain cavity terminal blocks located within each respective connector portion. A locking collar employs a ramped locking feature to snap and secure the first and second connector portions in an interlocked, assembled state. The multi-pin electrical connector can be composed entirely of non-metallic components.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for use in controlling timing of fuel delivery by a fuel pump comprises an advance piston which is moveable within a first bore and which cooperates, in use, with a cam arrangement of a fuel pump to adjust the timing of fuel delivery by the pump. A surface associated with the advance piston is exposed to fuel pressure within an advance piston control chamber. A light load piston is moveable relative to the advance piston against a spring load due to a light load control spring to adjust the timing under light load conditions. A temperature control valve is operable to control fuel pressure applied to the light load piston depending on engine temperature so as to permit adjustment of the timing depending on engine temperature.

Abstract: A rocker switch for one two-stage actuating stroke, especially in the form of a window control switch for a motor vehicle. The rocker switch includes a rocker button which is mounted in a housing. An actuating plate for acting on switching contacts that are connected to terminal contacts is associated with said rocker button. A switching contact is allocated to the actuating stroke of the first stage in each direction, respectively and a common switching contact is allocated to the actuating stroke of the second stage in each direction, respectively.

Abstract: A high current terminal blade connection system adapted for automotive environments, which provides environmental sealing includes a female connector and a male connector. The male connector includes a male power terminal having a contact blade and a means for connecting a power cable thereto. The female connector includes a female power terminal with a terminal blade seat for contactibly receiving the contact blade of the respective male power terminal. A contact insert is inserted within the female terminal and is the direct receiver of the male terminal contact blade. The contact insert includes dimples to provide stability and additional contact points to improve the electrical performance of the connection, and contact vanes to accept the mating male terminal blade for an in-line and right angle direction termination with the mating terminal blade. This design allows one female terminal and one contact insert for two different mating directions, thus eliminating the need for any additional parts.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for use in delivering fuel to a combustion space comprises a nozzle body provided with a blind bore within which a valve member is slidable. The valve member comprises a first region of substantially frusto-conical form defining a seating surface which is engageable with a valve seating surface, defined by the blind bore, to control fuel delivery from the injection nozzle, and a second region arranged such that, when the valve member is seated against the valve seating surface, in use, the second region is located downstream of the valve seating surface. The first region subtends a first cone angle which is greater than a second cone angle subtended by the second region.

Abstract: A fastener having a head and a cylindrical shank, the shank having a first set of opposed wings extending from two opposed longitudinally extending segments and a second set of opposed wings extending from the two other opposed longitudinally extending segments. Wings in opposing segments are identical. Wings in the first set have a larger radial diameter than wings in the second set. Wings in adjacent segments are offset a distance longitudinally. There is a longitudinally extending spacing between one radial edge of each wing in the first set and one radial edge of each wing in the second set. Each of the wings in the second set has a flattened portion on a distal edge that extends to a radial edge. The fastener is particularly useful for maintaining a high ratio of disengage force to engage force over a range of aperture sizes, shapes, and panel thicknesses.

Abstract: A fuel system arranged to deliver fuel at high pressure to a fuel injector through a high pressure fuel line defined, at least in part, within first and second housing parts of a pressure relief valve arrangement. The first and second housing parts define first and second separable valve surfaces respectively. A clamping arrangement is provided for applying a clamping load to the first and second housing parts so as to urge first and second valve surfaces respectively thereof into substantially sealing engagement. The clamping arrangement is arranged to permit separation of the first and second valve surfaces in the event that fuel pressure within the high pressure fuel line exceeds a predetermined amount, thereby to permit fuel within the high pressure fuel line to flow to a region of relatively low pressure to relieve fuel pressure within the high pressure fuel line.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically loading tires into a tire transport frame is disclosed. The system stacks a plurality of tires in a herringbone pattern within a tire transport frame. The tire transport frame provides a structure that maintains the stacked tires in a stable, compressed state. Further, the tire transport frame may be adapted to withstand external loads so that multiple tire transport frames may be stacked atop one another for long term storage of tires. Further, the loaded tire transport frames may be easily loaded by forklift into a vessel for storage and/or transportation without requiring significant expenditures of manual labor, time, space, or cost. As a result, the instant invention enables significant improvements in reliability, cost, and capacity in the storage and/or transportation of tires.

Abstract: An interactive play system and method of interactive play is provided in which a plurality of interactive play elements are provided for creating various desired effects utilizing soft foam balls or other suitable play media. The interactive play system comprises a multi-level support structure on which the interactive play elements are disposed. These allow play participants to create desired play effects using a fun and familiar play media. Some of the play elements may be multi-order play elements in that they receive play media from a first effect to create yet another effect. Various play-participant-operated conveyers are provided throughout the structure for transporting play media from a source to the various interactive play elements.

Abstract: A projectile launcher is provided for propelling impact-safe foam projectiles. The projectile launcher includes a launch tube sized and configured to accommodate insertion of an impact-safe projectile with substantially little or no friction between the launch tube inner wall and the projectile. A nozzle is disposed adjacent one end of the launch tube. The nozzle is adapted to receive a flow of compressed air from a source and to discharge a stream of high-velocity air which impinges upon the projectile disposed within the launch tube. A play-participant-actuated valve is interposed between the nozzle and the source of compressed air to control the flow of air to the nozzle. The valve is adapted, when actuated, to place the nozzle in communication with the source of compressed air. Upon actuation of the valve the nozzle discharges a stream of high-velocity air which transfers momentum to the projectile, propelling it down the launch tube and into the air or at a selected target.

Abstract: An interactive play system and structure is provided in which a plurality of interactive play elements are provided for creating various desired effects utilizing soft foam balls or other suitable “dry” play media. In one embodiment the interactive play system comprises a multi-level support structure on which the interactive play elements are disposed. These allow play participants to create desired play effects using a fun and familiar dry play media. Some of the play elements may be multi-order play elements in that they receive play media from a first effect to create yet another effect. Various automated and/or play-participant-operated conveyers and play media collection and return mechanisms are provided throughout the structure for collecting and transporting play media from a source, such as a collection basin, to the various interactive play elements.

Abstract: An interactive arena play structure is provided incorporating a plurality of water and non-water play elements for creating various desired water effects. The interactive arena play structure incorporates a centrally disposed target tower which controls various water effects located within or around the play structure. Play participants are encouraged to compete against one another to actuate various water effects such that they stay dry while their opponents get wet. In addition, play participants are encouraged to cooperate to actuate a special progressive water effect located in a centrally disposed region of the play arena.