Abstract: A fairing assembly system and method are provided. The fairing assembly includes a fairing, and a fairing support formed of an integral piece of material including a crossbar mount adapted to receive a crossbar, and a fairing mount adapted to support the fairing. The crossbar mount may include a clip, and the fairing mount may include a fastener configured to secure the fairing to the fairing mount.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing recreational equipment to a vehicle-mounted rack. The apparatus includes a load-carrying member adapted to carry recreational equipment adjacent a vehicle, and a clamping member adapted to secure the load-carrying member to a crossbar of the vehicle rack. The clamping member is configured to clamp to at least two different styles of crossbars to prevent relative movement between the load-carrying member and the crossbar. Optionally, the clamping member may be configured to snap onto the crossbar.

Abstract: A switch for use in a ride-on vehicle for children. The switch includes plural contact sets operated by an actuator to control the speed and/or direction of the vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment, a separator structure blocks contact sets from closing when they should be open to prevent inadvertent shorting.

Abstract: An improved bicycle carrier is provided for mounting to the rear end of an automobile to receive and support one or more bicycles. The bicycle carrier has a frame formed from a unitary convolutely-shaped metal bar that defines a pair of bicycle support members on one end and a vehicle engaging member at the other end. The frame is shaped such that the vehicle engaging member can be positioned to engage and rest against the rear end of an automobile with the support members projecting rearwardly for receiving one or more bicycles. A stabilizer is secured to the frame and extends away from the support members for resting on the trunk of a car to stabilize the carrier. The stabilizer is selectively movable in the vertical direction and can be locked in place to insure that the support members extend at a predetermined attitude relative to horizontal. A leveling indicator is provided on the frame for indicating an optimum attitude of the support arms during adjustment of the stabilizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for reforming that is employed when preparing a synthetic gas by reacting hydrocarbon such as methane with a reforming agent such as water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, air or the like. The present invention further relates to a process for producing a synthetic gas employing this catalyst for reforming. By employing the catalyst for reforming that is a mixed oxide having the composition expressed by the following formula in which the M and Co are in a highly dispersed state, it is possible to suppress precipitation of carbonaceous matters (carbon) when producing the synthetic gas. aM.bCo.cMg.dCa.eO (Where, a, b, c, d, and e are molar fractions, a+b+c+d=1, 0.0001≦a≦0.10, 0.0001≦b≦0.20, 0.70≦(c+d)≦0.9998, 0<c≦0.9998, 0≦d<0.9998, e=the number of oxygen necessary to maintain an electric charge balance with metallic elements.

Abstract: A hydrogen-permeable metal membrane with increased hydrogen flux compared to conventional metal membranes is disclosed. Without sacrificing selectivity, the membrane enables a greater throughput of purified hydrogen. A method for preparing the invention includes at least one etching step in which a controlled volume of etchant is used to selectively remove material from the membrane's surface. Methods for repairing holes or other defects in the membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic oil pump has a cylinder, a piston, a pedal and an oil reservoir. The cylinder has a central bore, a sealed front end and a sealed rear end. An air connector is mounted in a cover on the front end of the cylinder. An actuating valve is mounted in the cover on the front end of the cylinder and communicating with the air connector and the central bore of the cylinder. The piston is movably mounted in the bore of the cylinder to divide the central bore of the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. A piston seat is attached to the piston at an end facing the rear end of the cylinder. A ventilative, sound-absorbing material is arranged between the air outlets of the piston and the piston seat. By such an arrangement, the shock of the air flow can be absorbed by the ventilative, sound absorbing material. Therefore, noise and shock will not occur when the pneumatic pump is in operation.

Abstract: A system and method (several variations) for interconverting moving fluid power and electrical power, involving, in one embodiment, an aerodynamic rotor integrated with an electrical rotor without an interconnecting rotating shaft, where the aerodynamic rotor can either take the form of (a) a selected style (several discussed herein) hoop-type rotor or (b) a fan-blade-type rotor, and in another embodiment, a hoop-like aerodynamic rotor coupled directly to the rotor in an electrical generator through a rotating shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle-mountable, suspension monitoring system produces suspension-analysis information which can be used to determine adjustments to a vehicle suspension. Sensor structure located adjacent the vehicle suspension is connected to a control/processing/display (CPD) unit located adjacent the vehicle operator. The sensor structure senses suspension related information and communicates the suspension related information to the CPD unit. The CPD unit receives the suspension related information and converts it to suspension-analysis information. The CPD unit stores the suspension-analysis information and displays it to the vehicle operator. Alternatively, the suspension-analysis information is downloaded from the CPD unit to a digital computer for display as waveform data.

Abstract: Inline roller skates are provided with independent suspension systems, separately suspending one or more of a plurality of wheels. The wheels are mounted rotatably on axles, and the axles are held nominally parallel to the sole of the boot. The suspension systems include guides that maintain the axles parallel to the sole of the boot even as the wheels and axles move vertically in response to bumps and other forces.

Abstract: A socket suspension rack includes a handle and a suspension rod extending from the handle. The suspension rod includes the top aligning with the top of the handle and a T-shaped flange formed on extending down from the bottom. A stopper is attached to the free end of the suspension rod. A number of socket connectors each including a T-shaped groove defined in the upper portion to receive the T-shaped flange of the suspension rod and having a socket stud extending down from a lower portion connect with a socket.

Abstract: A ceiling-mountable display monitor system for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The display monitor system includes a display monitor coupled to a housing assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the housing assembly is selectively adjustable for mounting in different vehicles having different ceiling configurations. In another exemplary embodiment, an upper portion of the housing assembly is mountable above the vehicle headliner, while a lower portion of the housing assembly is mountable below the headliner. Optionally, the upper and lower portions of the housing assembly clamp onto the headliner. The upper and/or the lower portions may be adjustable for mounting in different vehicles.

Abstract: A multi-tool with a handle formed to have a cross section that is S-shaped so that a foldable tool stored in the handle may be opened and closed independently of other selected operations for the multi-tool. The foldable tool is stored in a first pocket, facing away from an opposing handle, and an adjustment mechanism is stored in a second pocket, facing toward the opposing handle. A leaf spring is cut from an opposing wall of the first pocket, and biased so that the leaf spring moves to a blocking position at least partially within the first pocket when the foldable tool is in an open position. A post is mounted on the foldable tool and is exposed for engagement by a human hand to facilitate deployment of the foldable tool from its closed position to its open position. The S-shaped construction of the handle allows a flange to be incorporated as part of the handle without interfering with the foldability of the foldable tool stored in the first pocket of the handle.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle that simulates a horse-drawn carriage. The invention includes a carriage section adapted to support a rider, and a horse section coupled to the carriage. One or more wheels are coupled to the carriage and/or horse sections. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a rein assembly configured to allow a child to steer at least one of the wheels. In another embodiment, at least one of the wheels is configured to impart a vertically reciprocating motion to the vehicle when the vehicle is moving. In another embodiment, the vehicle includes a sound generation system to simulate noises produced by a horse.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle that resembles a riding lawnmower or tractor. The vehicle includes a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor, and a frame that is adapted to support a child. The ride-on further includes a bubble-producing mechanism adapted to produce a stream of bubbles.

Abstract: A vertical blind has two end pieces respectively attached to opposite ends of a track. The track is adapted to be mounted on a ceiling. The vertical blind includes multiple clamps partially slidably received in the track to clamp vertical slats. Each clamp includes a shoulder vertically formed and has at least one through hole defined in the shoulder parallel to the track. At least one rod extends perpendicular from the faceplate and aligns with the through hole in the shoulder on the clamp. The rod has an enlarged head formed on a free end and a groove diametrically defined in the enlarged head. The rod holds the nearest clamp in place after the enlarged head passes through the through hole. The end piece of the present invention is easily made and assembled to save time and cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle and associated rotation translation assembly are provided. The children's ride-on vehicle includes a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the body, and at least one steerable wheel. The vehicle also includes a steering mechanism including a steering column and an associated steering handle. The steering handle is configured to be actuated by a rider sitting on a seat of the vehicle to thereby cause the steerable wheel to turn. The vehicle further includes a direction responsive member extending from the outer surface of the body, the direction responsive member being coupled to the steering mechanism through a linkage assembly and configured to rotate in response to movement of the steering handle.

Abstract: A hot drink steeping pot includes a jug (10), a strainer (12) pivotally receivable in the jug (10), and a cover (13) mounted on the jug (10), such that the strainer (12) is enclosed. With the cover (13) removed from the jug (10), flavoring agent is stored in the strainer (12) in its lowered position. To remove the flavoring agent, the user rotates the tabs (1266) such that the strainer (12) is moved to the raised position, and excess fluid can drain from the flavoring agent into the jug (10). The combined cover (13) and strainer (12) can be removed from the jug (10) and inverted such that no dripping or falling of flavoring agent onto clothes or carpets can occur, and the flavoring agent can be conveniently discarded.

Abstract: An artifact rejector for repetitive physiologic-event-signal data generated from electronically-controlled physiologic-event-measuring equipment includes a physiologic-event-signal averager in communication with such physiologic-event-measuring equipment. The artifact rejector is constructed to generate and store repetitive averaged physiologic-event-signal data based upon a substantially stable time relationship between corresponding physiologic-event-signal data and heart-beat-related-signal data. The repetitive averaged physiologic-event-signal data includes less noise than the repetitive physiologic-event-signal data. The artifact rejector generates and continuously updates an averaged-data template by storing such repetitive averaged physiologic-event-signal data for a preselected number of measured physiologic events.