Abstract: A steering axle suspension system for connecting a frame to a front steering axle in a truck or other heavy vehicle has a substantially non-flexible beam having a front end, a central portion, and a rear end. The central portion of the beam is mounted to the front steering axle and a mounting bracket is mounted on the front end of the beam. The mounting bracket has a bushing located therein with a trunnion shaft extending therethrough. A shaft engagement housing is attached to the frame and non-rotatably engages the trunnion shaft such that the beam can pivot with respect to the frame at the front end. An air spring is sandwiched between the beam and the frame. The air spring is capable of transferring weight from the frame to the axle and the air in the air spring is adjusted by an automatic leveling valve capable of interrelating the amount of air in the air spring to the distance between the frame and the beam.

Abstract: Each horizontal adjuster mechanism used in connection with low beam headlamps must be either non-readjustable after the initial adjustment or equipped with a non-recalibratable vehicle headlamp aiming device (VHAD) which is set to zero when the vehicle leaves the factory. Vehicle manufacturers must either aim the lamps and provide a non-recalibratable VHAD which is properly zeroed or aim the lamps and provide a mechanism to prevent future readjustment. A headlamp adjuster may be rendered non-readjustable after the headlamp has been aimed by snapping down a snap-socket, placing a covering cap over the drive shaft, closing a one-way lid on a drive shaft cover, or by otherwise preventing rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Each horizontal ad juster mechanism used in connection with low beam headlamps must be either non-readjustable after the initial adjustment or equipped with a non-recalibratable vehicle headlamp aiming device (VHAD) which is zeroed when the vehicle leaves the factory. Vehicle manufacturers must either aim the lamps and provide a non-recalibratable VHAD which is properly zeroed or aim the lamps and provide a mechanism to prevent future readjustment. A headlamp adjuster is provided with a non-recalibratable VHAD dial which zeroed after the lamp has been properly aimed and which indicates any subsequent adjustments to the aim of the headlamps.

Abstract: A gripper assembly with an integrated heat shield. The integrated heat shield is in the form of a shell having one or more openings through which a gas may flow into and out of in order to create a cooling current flow. Two axially aligned and opposed cylinders, each having a main portion, are individually mounted to the shell and the shell substantially surrounds the main portion of each cylinder. Each cylinder has a piston and each piston has a piston rod. Each piston rod is coupled to a jaw and each jaw is supported by one or more guide rods slidably received in one or more sleeves mounted to the shell. The jaws are positioned substantially parallel to one another and operable to grasp and release objects of interest. Motion of the jaws is synchronized by a synchronization mechanism.

Abstract: An identifying tag that includes a foil sheet having first and second opposing surfaces. The foil sheet is made from a mylar polyester foil and a holographic image appears on its first surface. The second surface of the foil sheet has a layer of first heat seal adhesive applied on it. A fabric sheet having first and second surfaces and a layer of second heat seal adhesive on its first and second surfaces is bonded to the second surface of the foil sheet. The laminated sheets are die cut to predetermined size and applied to a subject garment by contacting the second surface of the fabric sheet to a surface of the garment under pressure and applying heat to the second surface of the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A stabilizing fixture particularly suited for use with a robot end effector and holding relatively flexible components while they are cut, trimmed, or otherwise machined by the end effector. The fixture includes a chassis with wheels and a plurality of upwardly projecting posts that support an upper frame. The upper frame defines a platform for supporting, aligning, and stabilizing a flexible workpiece. The frame includes a two L-shaped brackets to support the workpiece and one or more vacuum-powered suction cups for tightly gripping and holding the workpiece against the brackets.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and formatting information, specifically test questions, in a desirable and predetermined manner. The system has dynamic-content and dynamic-presentation capabilities so that a wide variety of test problems and, ultimately, tests which consist of test problems can be created. The system includes a data processor such as a personal computer having a means for storing at least one computer program and a means for printing indicia such as a laser printer. The software component of the system includes an authoring tool which is used to create generalized expressions of a problem. A variation rules module or engine stores the variations rules which are a language for describing how to create varying questions from the generalized expression or definition of and a problem created in the authoring tool. Then another component of the software, the print engine interprets the variation rules and produces screen displays or printed tests.

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus for the reflector in an automotive lamp assembly has a screw, a mounting clip for mounting the adjusting apparatus to the reflector, and a retainer clip for positioning the adjusting apparatus such that it can properly adjust the reflector. The adjusting apparatus can be installed as a unitary piece through the lens, or through the support from of the automotive lamp assembly. The adjusting apparatus reduces the labor required to assemble the automotive lamp assembly and the number of parts the assembler must keep in inventory. Thus, the overall cost to produce a completed automotive lamp assembly is reduced.

Abstract: A flow meter is provided that can be used to measure the flow of fluids from a fluid source to a receiving system, and methods of using the flow meter to measure fluid flow. The flow meter is composed of a housing that contains a fluid flow sensing member in the form of a rotatable bladed rotor or turbine in one chamber and a sensor and a signal-conditioning circuit in a second separate chamber. The rotor rotates by fluid flow through the housing chamber. The rotor preferably contains a magnet that passes over a magnetically-operated sensor and triggers it to produce a signal that is processed by the conditioning circuit into a 4-20 mA output signal that indicates a range from no flow to full flow of the liquid through the flow meter.

Abstract: A resealable packaging system, providing a multiple reseal capability. A strip of pressure sensitive adhesive is applied over a first area of a substrate. Then a strip of cold seal adhesive is layered over the strip of pressure sensitive adhesive. A strip of cold seal adhesive is then applied to a second area of the substrate, or to another substrate, whether of the same or a different type. The materials are chosen so that, when the substrate is aligned and the strips of cold seal adhesive bonded together, the bond formed between the strips of cold seal adhesive, and the bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive and the cold seal adhesive, and the bond between the cold seal adhesive and the substrate, are stronger than the bond between the substrate and the pressure sensitive adhesive. Thus, when the two areas of substrate, now bonded together by the cold seal adhesive, are peeled apart, the pressure sensitive adhesive remains with the cold seal adhesive and is exposed.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a robot and capable of removing cases from a stack of cases and emptying the selected case of substantially flat, folded articles. The end effector includes a main body designed to be coupled to the robot. A case gripper is mounted on the bottom of the main body. A flattened articles gripper is also coupled to the main body and includes a vacuum chamber with two blades. A dunnage gripper is mounted on one of the sides of the main body. In use, the case gripper picks a full case from a pallet of cases and moves that case to an unloading station. There, the end effector is rotated so that the blades of the flattened articles gripper can be inserted into the case. With the blades inserted, vacuum is supplied to the flattened articles gripper to hold the articles against the gripper. Then, the end effector with the articles is moved to a regripping station where the articles are temporarily placed and regripped.

Abstract: A single-piece piston for use in a pneumatically-activated pump to meter a predetermined amount of lubricant or other liquid. The piston has a grooved end that includes a head portion and a circumferentially-disposed angled channel for containing a sealing member such as an O-ring. An adjacent stem section includes a longitudinally-disposed channel that is in fluid-flow connection with the angled channel. The piston is disposed within a chamber of the body of the pump. Lateral movement of the piston within the body causes the sealing member to shift and block and unblock the end of the longitudinal channel and an aperture in the angled channel, which allows liquid from a liquid chamber to flow into a central bore in the piston and to a pump chamber adjacent to the head of the piston's grooved end.

Abstract: A digital versatile disc ("DVD") for storing digital or digitized information that includes two sub-discs. Each sub disc has an outer peripheral edge, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a bore having a second peripheral edge. The two sub-discs are bonded together by a layer of dry film adhesive which is in contact with the bottom surface of the first sub disc and the top surface of the second sub-disc. The layer of dry film adhesive is spaced a distance from the second peripheral edges of the bores of the sub-discs. A weld located along the peripheral edges of the bores of the sub-discs provides bonding and structural support to the DVD. A hub or central area which is substantially free of any dry film adhesive is located between the weld and the layer of dry film adhesive. The use of a dry film adhesive to bond the component parts of the DVD eliminates many of the deficiencies of hot-melt and UV-curable adhesive bonding methods, particularly the problem of entrapping in the adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle-based equipment handling device is constructed by installing tracks into the vehicle along which a carriage slides. A yoke is attached to the carriage at pivot points and is caused to pivot by the action of an extension cylinder. The yoke engages the equipment at its approximate center of gravity to allow easier positioning of the equipment. When the yoke has been actuated by the piston to lift the equipment, the carriage slides along the tracks to load the equipment into the vehicle. One particularly useful application of the equipment handling device is as a loading and unloading device for a portable x-ray machine.

Abstract: A device for fixing a flexible element to the tubular body of a roller for rolling shutters, guards or blinds, wherein the tubular body has a slot made in its lateral surface and accessible from the outside through a first and a second opening the first oriented at right angles to the axial direction, the second at right angles to the tangential direction, of the tubular body; the radial measurement of the first opening relative to the tubular body is larger than the corresponding measurement of the second opening; the flexible element has at one end of it an enlarged fixing head especially shaped to allow it to be inserted into the slot through the first opening and through the second opening, remaining trapped inside the slot when the flexible element moves through the second opening.

Abstract: A coupon inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon along a weakened web portion. The inserter assembly includes a pair of intermittently rotating feed rollers and a pair of continuously rotating delivery rollers. An activation sensor is located at a dispensing location or a conveyor carrying receiving products for receiving coupons. When the activation sensor senses a receiving product, a signal is sent to a clutch-brake to activate the feed rollers. The feed rollers then feed the web into the delivery rollers. When a deactivation sensor located beyond the delivery rollers senses the presence of the forwardmost coupon, a signal is sent to the clutch-brake which stops the rotation of the feed rollers. Because the delivery rollers continue to pull the forwardmost coupon, the two coupons separate along the weakened web portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a top loading, top unloading bottom discharge, ring drive silo unloader that is adapted for use with a hexapod suspension. The unloader features a stationary support frame with an open center concept. The support frame includes three main support members joined together to form a triangular frame. Three bracing members are added to the support frame to form an interior perimeter with a generally hexagon shape that delineates the open central area. A rotating drive ring is suspended from the support frame. An electric motor drives a chain loop that engages the exterior surface of the drive ring and causes it to rotate. A gathering mechanism that includes a subframe with a telescoping tubular support is suspended from the rotating drive ring. An auger is suspended from the tubular support.

Abstract: A roller for rewinding and tensioning a flexible element, the element having a greater length than width, includes a tubular body to which one end of the flexible element is fixed; a shaft positioned so that it is coaxial to the tubular body, the two being attached in such a way that they may rotate relative to one another about a shared axis; at least one helical spring driving element made of wire, housed in the tubular body, the ends of the spring being connected, by means of support and connecting parts, to the shaft and the tubular body so as to contrast the reciprocal rotation in the direction of unwinding of the flexible element, at least one of the support and connecting parts being able to slide along the axis of the roller on relative guides so as to position itself along the shaft, adapting each time to the variations in the axial length of the spring driving element, the variations being caused by the unwinding and rewinding of the flexible element on the roller.

Abstract: A pneumatically-operated pump is provided that includes a body having a central bore with a liquid chamber for a slidable piston injector, a chamber for a removable reservoir, and an inlet and outlet for a gas. A priming conduit carries liquid from the reservoir mounted on the body to the injector in the liquid chamber which injects the liquid into a liquid line coupled to a fitting on the pump. The liquid line carries lubricant or other liquid from the pump (e.g., air tool lubricator) to an air tool or other article. A priming pump is mounted on the body and is capable of delivering a predetermined amount of liquid from the reservoir to the liquid chamber. The priming pump is used to fill the liquid line with liquid.

Abstract: An identifying tag that includes a foil sheet having first and second opposing surfaces. The foil sheet is made from a mylar polyester foil and a holographic image appears on its first surface. The second surface of the foil sheet has a layer of first heat seal adhesive applied on it. A fabric sheet having first and second surfaces and a layer of second heat seal adhesive on its first and second surfaces is bonded to the second surface of the foil sheet. The laminated sheets are die cut to predetermined size and applied to a subject garment by contacting the second surface of the fabric sheet to a surface of the garment under pressure and applying heat to the second surface of the fabric sheet.