Abstract: A container holder includes a cylindrical opening, having a side wall with a movable section which extends between a raised position, completing a cylindrical support for a container, and a lowered position providing a notch for receiving a handle of a cup. In one embodiment, a pair of adjacent cup holders are provided with a movable section extending between them. In a preferred embodiment, the movable section includes a push-push latch such that it can be pressed downwardly and remain in a retracted position for use with a handle-including container and, upon pushing a second time, is raised to accommodate a cylindrical container. In another embodiment, a damper mechanism is provided to control the motion of the movable section. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a peripheral seal near the movable section is provided to reduce or eliminate the effect of any fluid spilled on the control mechanism.

Abstract: A crucible handling shuttle includes a pair of opposed dual crucible-gripping arms mounted on a rotatable head and moves between an induction furnace pedestal and a crucible loading station, such that one pair of arms pick up a crucible loaded with a preweighed sample, the shuttle moves to the induction furnace, where the other pair of arms grip and remove a spent crucible. The shutter head then rotates to deposit the new sample-holding crucible onto the pedestal and subsequently moves out of the furnace area to a sample disposal chute positioned between the crucible loading station and the furnace, whereupon the spent crucible is dropped for disposal. The shuttle head is then rotated and moved to the loading station to pick up a new crucible.

Abstract: A vehicle door actuating device for a vehicle includes an actuator device disposed on one of a vehicle door and a door frame of the vehicle. A bumper is disposed on the other of the vehicle door and the door frame opposite the actuator device. A door sensor is disposed on the vehicle that measures door position and door movement. A controller receives data from the door sensor relating to the door position and door movement and activates the actuator device when the vehicle is in a parked position. The controller instructs the actuator device to repel the bumper to assist a user in opening the vehicle door and attract the bumper to assist a user in closing the vehicle door during closure.

Abstract: An oral orthosis includes a holder in the shape of a mouthpiece, including a curved arcuate trough-like upper section which receives a formable material. The formable material does not occupy the entire trough but rather includes voids between the formable material and the inner surfaces of trough of the holder to allow expansion of the formable material into the voids during the molding process when tooth pressure is placed on the formable material. This design results in elimination of the excess formable material which otherwise would require removal by trimming. Additionally, the formable material is placed in the trough in a configuration which includes indexing indentations along the centerline of the material, such that, during the molding process, the mouthpiece containing the formable material is easily centered along the edges of the user's teeth to provide a precise fitting.

Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a door handle that engages a bell crank to actuate a door release latch. A locking member moves relative to the bell crank, and shifts to a locked position wherein the locking member engages an engagement member to prevent rotation of the bell crank when the door handle assembly experiences an inertial force due to an impact or the like.

Abstract: A vehicle trim component includes a trim body, with a primary fastener extending from the trim body. The primary fastener includes a first end and a second end. The first end includes a push clip head that is configured to substantially fit and project through an aperture in the vehicle panel. The second end is connected to the trim body. The secondary fastener is rotatably connected to the trim body by a living hinge and is positioned to engage the vehicle panel at an edge portion of the vehicle panel.

Abstract: An analytical induction furnace and method for combusting conductive sample materials (500) utilizing a crucible for holding a sample within the induction furnace. Less than one gram of accelerator material is then inserted into the crucible with the sample and the induction furnace is activated for a predetermined time period (503) for thoroughly combusting the sample and accelerator. In some instances, no accelerator is required with the sample at frequencies of approximately 4.5 MHz. The invention provides for the induction furnace that is actuated in an RF frequency range between 2-9 MHz with little to no accelerator for thoroughly melting the sample for use in an analytical instrument.

Abstract: A door for a vehicle including a cast upper door frame having an upper halo portion including a central web. A glass run flange is connected to the central web by an intermediate connector. A door flange extends from the central web substantially orthogonally thereto. A stamped aluminum lower inner panel is operably connected to the cast upper frame.

Abstract: An eaves protector includes a soffit receiver and a soffit/fascia lock which are fastened to the eaves. A fascia plate and a soffit panel are engaged to the soffit receiver and the fascia/soffit lock. Some versions of the eaves protector require no fasteners to keep the soffit and fascia plate in place. The eaves protector can be simply and inexpensively manufactured from single pieces of folded material, and may be manufactured to standard dimensions that will fit any building, or custom-cut on site.

Abstract: Sustained release microparticles suitable for various types of drugs, or drug-containing sustained release microparticles capable of sustained release of drugs over a period of three days or more and capable of inhibiting initial burst release; a process for producing the same; and preparations containing the microparticles are disclosed. The drug-containing sustained release microparticles comprise a drug other than human growth hormone and a porous apatite derivative, and optionally include a water-soluble bivalent metal compound.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, particularly for a center seat in a row of seats. The seat includes a back part swivel connected to a seat part so that the back part and seat part swivel away from each other in a seating position and swivel toward one another in a first stowage position. The seat back may be altered in its longitudinal extent between the first stowage position and a second stowage position such that the seat back has a seat length and a shorter stowage length. The seat further includes a traveling mechanism which automatically moves the back part longitudinally from the seat length to the shorter stowage length when the back part is folded into the first stowage position.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of ground aggregate and a fluid. A fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate are injected into a first mold cavity. The first mold cavity is sealed against a second mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown from the fungal inoculum to fill the first and second mold cavities. The live mycelium is cured to terminate further growth and develop a formed substrate.

Abstract: A door assembly for an appliance includes a door having an interior side and an exterior side. The door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An ice maker is adjacent to the interior side of the door when the door is in the closed position. A frame defines an aperture extending from the interior side to the exterior side. An ice bucket is disposed in the aperture and is operable between a lowered position, wherein a reservoir portion of the bucket is accessible when the door is closed, and a raised position, wherein the reservoir portion of the bucket is inaccessible when the door is closed. An ice dispenser is disposed below the ice bucket.

Abstract: A tool for resurfacing a counterbore of a cylinder bore in an engine block includes a holder fixedly attached to the engine block using existing threaded holes, and a cutter rotatably supported by the holder and axially movable while being rotated. The cutter is positioned to cut and resurface a counterbore in the top of the cylinder bore. A plurality of springs bias the cutter head axially toward the engine block while rotating the cutter, thus providing a uniform force while cutting and resurfacing the counterbore. A ratchet wrench matably engages the upper end of the shaft to rotate the cutter, with the ratchet wrench extending in a single lateral direction from the shaft. A related method is also discussed.

Abstract: A brake support plate secures a caliper for disk brakes or the components of a drum brake to a wheel suspension or to a wheel axle. The brake support plate includes an axle opening with a snug-fit section for receiving an axle element, wherein the snug-fit section is slightly smaller than a corresponding section of the axle element. A circumference of the axle opening includes at least one discontinuation, such as, for example, a slot where the snug-fit section can be expanded for assembly. A securing element is disposed in such a manner as to decrease the discontinuation so that the snug-fit section returns to substantially its original size.

Abstract: A high-strength beam includes first and second sections bent in opposite directions as part of a roll-forming process. A frame includes side frame members incorporating the double-bent beam and at least one energy management tube attached to the beam. In one form, the beam is tubular and has a cross-sectional dimension of greater than 25 mm and a material strength of at least about 60 KSI tensile strength. A roll form apparatus includes a roll former device and a sweep station in-line with the roll former device for sweeping the continuous beam in first and second opposing directions. Also, a method of roll-forming comprises steps of: roll-forming a sheet of material into a continuous beam and sweeping first and second sections of the beam in opposite directions.

Abstract: A stowage retainer is provided for retaining an object, such as a portable electronic device, in a vehicle. The retainer includes a body having at least a bottom wall and side walls. The retainer also includes one or more flexible retention arms extending from the body for retaining a device in the retainer. The flexible retention arms each comprise a flexible inner wire and a soft outer covering material. The flexible retention arms are bendable to reform into a desired configuration to retain a device in the retainer.

Abstract: A door edge protection device for a motor vehicle door which comprises a door edge protection member guided movably with respect to the door at at least two points lying one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the door. The door edge protection member is driven via an eccentric lever mounted rotatably in the door.

Abstract: A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.

Abstract: A fastening device for a nut comprises a fastening part configured to engage in a screw element, a securing part configured to engage in the nut, and an intermediate part providing a non-positive connection between the fastening part and the securing part, wherein the intermediate part is made of a restorable material and is designed to apply a restoring torque directed at the original state during a rotation of the securing part in relation to the fastening part.