Abstract: An infant swing has a base member supported by hanger members for reciprocal movement. The base member is formed with an upwardly extending mounting protrusion that nests into a mating receiver structure formed on the bottom of the seat carrier. A latch mechanism carried by the seat carrier is selectively operable to disengage a pivoted, spring-loaded latch member mounted on the base member mounting protrusion. The seat carrier is formed with a pivoted lift handle that provides a dual lift function, including the normal lift function associated with the lift handle being raised into the upright operative position. The lift handle is formed with grip openings adjacent the pivot connection of the lift handle such that the grip handles are rotated for access when the lift handle is lowered to the folded position to enable the seat carrier to be lifted by grasping the two transversely spaced grip openings.

Abstract: A roll-forming process for the manufacture of a structural member can be used in the manufacture of an automotive vehicle. The roll-forming process creates a component that has multiple cells with an integral internal web separating the cells, enhancing the strength, rigidity and stiffness of the component for any given size and shape. The roll-forming process starts with a piece of sheet metal and rolls the sheet metal into a desired shape and then rolls the tube back over on itself to create a second cell with the internal reinforcing web positioned between two structural cells of the beam. The rolled form is then welded into the formed shape to create the structural beam. The two cells of the beam can be the same general size or be formed as completely disparate sizes, depending on the design requirements of the structural member.

Abstract: A roller support assembly is used to support sliding doors, windows or the like. The assembly includes a housing member having spaced apart side walls and interconnecting transverse walls defining a roller receiving zone for receiving and operationally mounting a roller assembly. The roller assembly has a roller body with a rolling peripheral rim and a shaft whereby the roller body is rotatable relative to the shaft having short stub axle parts. The housing side walls including openings that are fully enclosed by the side walls into which the short stub axle parts fit. The housing side walls further include projecting elements extending inwardly from an inner surface of a housing side wall to cooperate with the corresponding roller body side wall surfaces to spay the housing side walls apart as the roller assembly is moved into the roller receiving zone to locate the stub axle parts in the openings.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for child's high chair tray assembly having a tray post and socket mounting arrangement has a central, front actuation button that moves a slide link mounted underneath the tray assembly. The slide link is connected to an actuation arm slidably mounted within each respective tray post. The actuation arm includes a cam surface that pivots a latch member having a rectangular lock pin that extends below the tray post into engagement with openings in the socket receiving the tray post. The latch member is spring loaded into engagement with the socket openings. The front surface of the arm rests are sloped to cam the lock pin into the tray post to permit a passive mounting of the tray onto the high chair, but the lock pin engages the first socket opening to require a non-passive manipulation to affect positional adjustment or removal from the high chair.

Abstract: An adjustable support stand is mounted on a pre-cast concrete wall panel form to facilitate the leveling of the form and the support of the form about the production plant floor. The adjustable support stand includes a frame portion that houses a threaded rod positional fixed for rotation within the frame portion to drive a vertical movement of the leg member in response to rotation of the threaded rod. The adjustable support stand further includes a clamping apparatus that detachably mounts the frame portion to the flanges of a steel beam frame member. The actuator member can be a nut welded to the top of the threaded rod to affect movement of the engaged leg member in response to manipulation with a powered or manually operated hand tool, or a gear set and an orthogonal drive shaft that transfers rotation from a hand tool to the threaded rod.

Abstract: An infant swing has a base member supported by hanger members for reciprocal movement. The base member is formed with an upwardly extending mounting protrusion that nests into a mating receiver structure formed on the bottom of the seat carrier. A latch mechanism carried by the seat carrier is selectively operable to disengage a pivoted, spring-loaded latch member mounted on the base member mounting protrusion. The seat carrier is formed with a pivoted lift handle that provides a dual lift function, including the normal lift function associated with the lift handle being raised into the upright operative position. The lift handle is formed with grip openings adjacent the pivot connection of the lift handle such that the grip handles are rotated for access when the lift handle is lowered to the folded position to enable the seat carrier to be lifted by grasping the two transversely spaced grip openings.

Abstract: A moon roof frame module is sized to span between the laterally spaced roof side rails of an automotive roof frame structure and is welded to the opposing roof side rails to be integrated into the roof frame structure. As a result, the moon roof assembly serves as a load path member to reinforce the automotive roof structure. The integrated moon roof frame module will receive roll over forces and increase the strength of the roof structure of an automotive vehicle. The moon roof frame module includes a U-shaped roof panel that is welded to the opposing roof side rails and provides a reinforcing cross member located forwardly of the moon roof opening. A second cross member positioned rearwardly of the moon roof opening increases rigidity of the reinforcing moon roof frame module.

Abstract: A universal panel member can be connected with other universal panel members to form various sizes and shapes of feeder structures for dispensing forage material to horses and other animals. The universal panel members can be assembled to provide a floor with ground engaging legs and an upright wall surrounding the floor into which forage material can be placed for access by the animals feeding therefrom. Each panel member is formed with a main body portion that has a pair of connecting legs projecting outwardly from two opposing sides of the body portion within the same plane as the body portion, and a pair of connecting legs that project from the other two opposing sides perpendicularly to the plane of the body portion. Proper location of openings through the body portion allows the connecting legs of adjoining panel members to be connected with fasteners to form feeder structures.

Abstract: A compact housing for a dedusting apparatus utilizes a magnetic flux field to disrupt the static charge attracting dust particles to product particles, which along with fluidization and counter current airflow principles that are proven to dislodge dust particles from the product, provides a highly efficient, compact deduster. The housing supports a double wash deck with product flow separated between the back-to-back primary wash decks. A deflector directing the flow of product onto the primary wash decks is provided with an extension that extends parallel to the wash deck to eliminated product bouncing off of the wash deck. The lower air outlets are eliminated, while the upper air outlets are positioned in extensions to the main housing above the product inlet opening. Air flow through the Venturi zones is enhanced by directing clean air through slots formed in the lower deck members into the Venturi zones.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus can be placed between the money acceptor and the operative components of a gaming or vending machine to award a bonus based on predetermined utilization rates of the machine. The apparatus may incorporate dip switches to permit the number of bonuses to be varied and to change the frequency at which the bonuses are awarded. In gaming machines the bonus can be in the form of additional credits or increased play, while in vending machines the bonus can be in the form of additional credits or the dispensing of bonus product with the product purchased from the machine. Alternatively, the bonus award system can be incorporated into the money acceptor. In vending machines, a sensor may be incorporated to sense the dispensing of product from the vending machine to ascertain the utilization rate of the machine for the awarding of bonuses.

Abstract: An A-pillar joint configuration where the front end frame rail members are welded to the A-pillar eliminates the seals at the interface between the front end frame rail members and the A-pillars. The front flange of the A-pillar is also eliminated in the hydroformed configuration while the hydroformed frame rail members are formed with rearward ends that mate with the shape of A-pillar to positioned flattened ends against the exterior vertical side of the A-pillars for welding thereto. The resulting joint configuration eliminates the openings in the A-pillar for the passage of the front end frame rail members requiring seals to insulate the passenger compartment from engine and road noises.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism is used with the deployment apparatus mounting a running board on an automotive vehicle for laterally outward movement to increase rollover resistance for the vehicle. The actuation mechanism includes a cup with a hollow tube attached thereto to provide a path for the movement of a ball from the cup into engagement with the latching mechanism on the deployment apparatus. The ball is retained within the cup member until the actuation mechanism and the automotive vehicle to which it is mounted tilts to a minimum roll angle, whereupon the ball is released to roll down the hollow tube into engagement with the latching mechanism of the deployment apparatus. In one embodiment, a single cup with a pair of laterally extending tubes directs the ball to the deployment apparatus that requires actuation. In other embodiments, a separate actuation mechanism is provided for each respective deployment apparatus.

Abstract: A baffle vent is formed to span several roof rafters in a panel form with alternating flat ribs and rounded valleys extending along the longitudinal length thereof. The spacing of the flat ribs is four inches on center so that the transverse width of the panel will be engaged properly with roof rafters spaced on a multiple of four inches. The baffle vent includes uniformly spaced transverse ribs that extend from one transverse edge of the panel to the other to stiffen the panel which is formed of vacuum molded polyvinyl chloride film. The baffle panel is placed on top of the roof rafters before the roof sheeting is applied so that the insulation will force the baffle vent against the roof where the flat ribs engage the roof sheeting and the rounded valleys provide a passage for air to flow from the building soffit to the roof vent.

Abstract: A basket structure for a stroller is formed with a basket tube extending around the upper surface of the basket structure from one seat tube to the laterally opposing seat tube. The basket tube is a single formed tubular member that extends rearwardly from the seat tubes and bends downwardly at a rearward end thereof to define an access opening. The formed basket tube is depressed at the access opening below the surface against which the seat back is located when lowered into a reclined position. The access opening, therefore, remains open and allows access into the interior of the basket, even when the seat back is reclined, without disturbing the child positioned in the seat.

Abstract: A car seat includes a vertically adjustable head rest and harness support apparatus that will properly locate the position of the harness relative to the child in response to the positioning of the head rest. The head rest is movable along a curved track to provide horizontal clearance with respect to the vehicle head rest when in a fully raised position. The harness belt is trapped in a length adjustment lock and follows a path that extends around a fixed guide bar at the top of the car seat frame then downwardly through a guide member that directs the belt through an opening in the seat back for engagement with the child. The guide member is supported on a harness control tube that engages a rack device to fix the position of the harness control tube when the position of the head rest is selected.

Abstract: An occupant retention structure for a child's stroller utilizes an abbreviated upper horn extending downwardly from the underside of the tray and an abbreviated lower horn that extends upwardly from the seat pan beneath the lower horn without connection therebetween. Other protuberances formed by the tray and seat structures cooperates with the upper and lower horns to prevent the passage of a small probe used to determine if a child's torso or head could pass through an opening. The tray is mounted on a forwardly extending mounting pin for rotation thereon, while being rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the mounting pin to provide a swivel connection for the tray on one of the arm rests. A spring-loaded detent allows the tray to be released from the mounting pin for removal thereof from the stroller. The opposing end of the tray is latched to the other arm rest.

Abstract: A vent baffle assembly provides air ventilation in a cathedral ceiling having rafter beams and roof sheathing. The vent baffle assembly includes a first vent sheet and a second vent sheet. The first vent sheet has first and second ends, first and second longitudinal ribs and a first lateral stiffener extending generally perpendicularly to the ribs. The second vent sheet includes third and fourth ends, third and fourth longitudinal ribs, and a second lateral stiffener extending perpendicularly to the ribs. The first vent sheet is positioned between adjacent rafters with the ribs oriented parallel to the rafters. The second vent sheet overlaps the first vent sheet with respective ribs interengaged to limit lateral movement of the first vent sheet relative to the second vent sheet. The first lateral stiffener engages the second lateral stiffener to limit longitudinal movement of the first vent sheet relative to the second vent sheet.

Abstract: A striker reinforcement plate is configured for installation into the interior of a closed section, hydroformed tubular automotive frame member. The striker reinforcement plate is formed with an enlarged mounting tab at one end and a weld tab at the opposing end. The striker reinforcement plate is inserted through a slot formed into the wall of the tubular frame member, against which the enlarged mounting tab prevents the striker reinforcement plate from falling through the slot, and the weld tab is inserted through a special formed opening to receive the weld tab. The weld tab can then be welded to the exterior surface of the tubular frame member, which combined with the enlarged mounting tab secured against the slot holds the striker reinforcement plate in place for final assembly of the striker. The striker can then be bolted to the reinforcement plate and be positionally adjusted in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An insulation block is utilized with a corresponding baffle vent having a transverse width that will span several roof rafters, as is provided for use with manufactured housing. The insulation block includes uniformly spaced vertical ribs that extend from one edge of the insulation block to the opposing edge thereof to stiffen the insulation block which is formed of vacuum molded polyvinyl chloride film. After the baffle panel is placed on top of the roof rafters, which is before the roof sheeting is applied, the insulation block is attached to the wall top plate with the top edge of the insulation block placed into engagement with the baffle vent. The top edge of the insulation block is configured to mate with the undulating configuration of the corresponding baffle vent, fitting between transversely extending stiffening ribs on the baffle vent, to prevent insulation from entering the soffit area.

Abstract: A wheelhouse reinforcement bracket provides increased torsional rigidity for the rear wheelhouses of an automotive vehicle. The wheelhouse bracket is positioned in alignment with the location on the vehicle body where the shock absorber is located, and in alignment with the rear suspension cross frame member to create a structural ring formed by the wheelhouse bracket, the C-pillar and the rear suspension cross frame member. The wheelhouse bracket is formed with a mounting flange positionable within the inside of the U-shaped rear side frame rail to facilitate welding thereto instead of being welded to the top of the underbody floor structure. The mounting flange has a first portion configured to be mated against a first generally vertically extending wall of the rear side frame rail and a second portion configured to be mated against a generally horizontally extending wall of the rear side frame rail.