Abstract: A method for assembling a tool for cutting structural materials includes the steps of providing a pair of handles, each handle having a connector plate. A drive pin is pivotally coupled to the connector plates, the drive pin being movable as the handles are pivoted. A detachable cutting head includes a body with a cavity having a pair of opposing cavity openings, and further includes a channel to receive structural material workpieces. A cutting plate is slidably disposed in the cavity. The cutting head is selectably coupled to the handles and the cutting plate moves slidably in the body as the handles are pivoted, cutting a structural material workpiece inserted into the channel of the body, a cut portion of the inserted structural material workpiece being ejectable through the first cavity opening.

Abstract: A tonneau cover storage system for a vehicle includes a cargo compartment having a first sidewall and a cargo opening. A cavity is formed in the first sidewall. A container is pivotably attached to the first sidewall proximate the cavity at a first pivot point, and has a container opening sized and shaped to selectably fit into the cavity. A lid to selectably close off the container opening is also pivotably attached to the first pivot point and is pivotable independently of the container. A flexible tonneau cover is selectably configurable between a stowed condition within the container and a deployed condition closing off the cargo opening. The container is movable to a position within the cavity when the tonneau cover is in the stowed condition, and is further movable to a position outside the cavity when the tonneau cover is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: An oral implant system and method. The system includes a positioning tool, a transfer band, a transfer screw, and a transfer drill to provide for accurate placement of a dental implant parallel to other implants and or existing teeth and at predetermined depths. A model is made of the patient's maxilla and mandible. The model is marked for implant position, depth and size. Holes are drilled in the model for implant analogs using the positioning tool. The analogs are installed into the model using the positioning tool and a surveyor. Transfer bands are coupled to the analogs and a surgical stent portion is fabricated. The surgical stent is fitted to the patient's occlusion, secured, and then utilized to accurately drill apertures into the patient's maxilla or mandible. The implants are installed into the apertures and the surgical stent is removed. A final restoration is secured to the implants.

Abstract: A squat training device. A generally planar base is shaped to receive a shoed foot of a user. A plurality of straps are coupled to the base and are configured to secure the shoed foot to the base. A vertical member is detachably coupled to a front toe portion of the base and extends upwardly from the base to provide the user thereof with feedback regarding a predetermined exercise form.

Abstract: A detachable magazine for storing and delivering ammunition to a firearm having a magazine well. The magazine has a body with a column adapted for insertion into the magazine well. The column has a passage for transmitting ammunition to the firearm. The body includes a drum housing defining a substantially cylindrical chamber communicating with the column passage. A first sprocket element is rotatably received in the chamber and has a serrated periphery, with each serration adapted to receive an ammunition cartridge. A second sprocket element is rotatably received in the chamber, and is concentric with the first sprocket element, having a serrated periphery with each serration adapted to receive an ammunition cartridge. A spring element is connected to at least one of the sprocket elements, and operates to rotatably bias the sprocket elements to transmit cartridges from the drum chamber to the column passage.

Abstract: A method for measuring correlation between frequency response functions. A first frequency response function and a second frequency response function are acquired. The amplitude of the first and second frequency response functions are tabulated at a plurality of corresponding, predetermined frequencies. Amplitude and shape correlations between the first and second frequency response functions are then computed. The computed amplitude and shape correlations provide an indication of the degree of correspondence between the first and second frequency response functions, and can be used to compute a frequency response index that is an objective measure of the overall correspondence between the first and second frequency response functions.

Abstract: Components for use in the assembly and installation of a modular decking system, comprised of structural free floating piers which distributes loads of deck pad to ground, piers have a pad bearing surface and four uniformly placed receiver blocks which interlock with corresponding recesses at four pad corners, an interlocking cam passes through pad recesses at deck surface and locks to piers by rotating cam with custom designed tool. The system is designed to be assembled without permanent fasteners to allow for expansion, reconfiguration or relocation, or addition of traditional and contemporary deck accessories that engage and interlock with the piers, pads and cams. One ideal manufacturing method of one or any of the system components is compression molded post-consumer and/or industrial thermo-plastic waste.

Abstract: A vehicle having a reconfigurable cargo area. A tailgate selectably closes off a rear portion of the vehicle and is positionable between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position. A roof is bifurcated along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A fixed roof panel closes off a first portion of the roof. A movable roof panel is slidable along a transverse axis of the vehicle, and has a closed position edgewise adjacent to the fixed roof panel and an open position facially adjacent to the fixed roof panel. In its closed position the movable roof panel closes off a second portion of the roof. The second roof portion is exposed when the movable roof panel is in its open position. The cargo area is configurable to closed and open arrangements according to the positions of the tailgate and the movable roof panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with an integral, retractable step. A generally hollow base is secured to a floor of a vehicle, the base having a pair of opposing, spaced-apart side walls. A generally horizontal seat cushion is attached atop the base. A generally vertical seatback is attached at a lower end to at least one of the floor, the base and the seat cushion. A step is coupled to the base, the step being selectively positionable between a stowed position, closing off an open base portion, and a deployed position wherein the step extends at least partially outwardly through the open base portion. In the deployed position the step is generally proximate a front surface of the seat cushion such that the front surface of the seat cushion forms a substantially closed step riser.

Abstract: A battery mounting system includes a generally planar mounting base having at least one slot. The system further includes a generally planar battery tray containing a battery and having at least one guide extending away from a bottom surface of the battery tray. The battery tray slidably engages the mounting base such that the guide engages the slot, the guide and slot cooperating to control the travel of the battery tray with respect to the mounting base.

Abstract: A clutch engagement control system for a vehicle transmission. The system comprises an automatic transmission gearset and at least one hydraulic clutch coupled to the gearset. A hydraulic pressure controller is coupled to the clutch. A clutch engagement controller is coupled to the pressure controller, and an altitude sensor is coupled to the clutch engagement controller. The clutch engagement controller is configured to receive from the altitude sensor an altitude signal corresponding to the altitude of the vehicle. The clutch engagement controller adjusts a hydraulic pressure request of the pressure controller in accordance with the altitude signal, such that the clutch engages with at least one of a rate and pressure corresponding to the sensed altitude. A method employs the system.

Abstract: A selectable drivetrain control for a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive input signals and issue predetermined output command signals corresponding to the status of the input signals. A first sensor is configured to provide an input signal to the controller relating to the actuation status of a brake pedal. A second sensor is configured to provide an input signal to the controller relating to the actuation status of an accelerator pedal. A stability control selector is configured to provide an input signal to the controller relating to the engagement status of a stability control system of the vehicle. A drivetrain is configured to receive output command signals from the controller. The controller issues output command signals to the drivetrain to control the operational characteristics of the drivetrain, responsive to the engagement status of the stability control system while the brake and accelerator pedals are simultaneously actuated.

Abstract: A seat is disclosed for use in a vehicle. The seat includes a pivotable seat cushion, a pivotable seatback, and a pivotable headrest. A rearward portion of the seat cushion is pivotably attached to the floor of the vehicle by an anchor member. A forward portion of the seat cushion is pivotably coupled to a forward support leg that contacts the floor of the vehicle when the seat cushion is retained in a generally horizontal position. The forward support leg automatically retracts to a position proximate the seat cushion when the seat cushion is released and pivoted upwardly to a generally vertical stowed position proximate the seatback. The seatback is pivotably attached to the anchor member and may be downwardly pivoted to a generally horizontal stowed position proximate the seat cushion. The headrest may be pivotally attached to the seatback, and may be movable to a stowed position.

Abstract: An ambidextrous charging handle for a firearm consists of an oblong handle having a crossbar section. A cavity is formed in the oblong handle and includes a slotted portion. A longitudinal central shaft extends generally perpendicularly from the crossbar section of the oblong handle and terminates in a bolt hook at a distal end. A pivotable latch in the cavity includes a latch cam portion and a latch hook. A plunger has a plunger cam portion and is slidably disposed in the slotted portion of the cavity. A biasing element urges the latch hook toward the central shaft. Slidable movement of the plunger in the slotted portion of the cavity, against the bias of the biasing element, urges the cam portion of the plunger against the latch cam portion, thereby pivoting the latch and urging the latch hook away from the central shaft.

Abstract: A system for attaching a component to a substrate, such as a vehicle. The system comprises a bracket. At least one fastener is coupled to the bracket and is engageable to the vehicle. A component is assembled to the bracket such that a lip of the component contacts a tab of the bracket, and the bracket at least partially engages a gap defined by the lip and an interior surface of the component. The component is attached to the vehicle when the fastener is engaged with the vehicle. A method employs the system.

Abstract: A powertrain module for a vehicle. The powertrain module comprises a support member. An energy source is disposed within the support member. A motor-driven wheel is rotatably attached to the support member and coupled to the energy source, and a tire is mounted to the motor-driven wheel. The powertrain module is configured to be attached as a unit to a corner portion of a vehicle to provide the vehicle with motive power.

Abstract: An ambidextrous charging handle for a firearm consists of two separate assemblies, these being an oblong handle that contains a latch mechanism and a central shaft member. The parts are joined together by a combination of the latch mechanism and alignment grooves in the central shaft member interacting with a locating flange on the handle, and a pair of retaining and pivoting connectors that secure the latch to the handle and the central shaft member. The latch mechanism includes cam activation via a retention relief cut acting against a fixed retention and pivot connector. The second point of retention for the assembly is via a second retaining connector that transmits the retraction force applied to the handle on one end of the latch and to the central shaft member through the interconnection of the second combination retention and pivot connector on the proximal end of the latch body.

Abstract: An engine starting assist system. A battery is selectably coupled to an ultracapacitor with a contactor. In addition, a controller is configured to perform at least one of: monitor the condition of the battery, monitor the condition of the ultracapacitor, control the flow of energy between the battery and the ultracapacitor by selective actuation of the contactor, receive a start input control. The controller issues a start output control to a starter solenoid of the engine, such that energy stored in the ultracapacitor may be used to at least one of charge the battery and provide cranking current to a starter of the engine in conjunction with the battery.

Abstract: A flexible package for cutting blades. A flexible first layer has at least one cavity formed therein to form a base for receiving a cutting blade. A flexible second layer is arranged over the base and proximate the base. A seal is formed about the periphery of each cavity to encapsulate a cutting blade placed into the cavity, the seal being formed by applying a predetermined combination of heat and pressure to selected portions of the second layer to cause the adhesive thereon to selectively bond to the base. Movement of each encapsulated cutting blade is deterred during transport and handling by the cavity in cooperation with the seal and the second layer, the blades becoming movable within the cavity when the seal is broken.