Abstract: A cutoff unit for cutting a variably swept continuous beam extending from a roll forming mill includes a pickup subassembly for tracking a shape of the continuous beam, and a cutoff subassembly that engages and supports sides of the continuous beam while a blade slices transversely through the continuous beam. A controller connected to the roll forming mill and to the cutoff unit controls the cutoff unit to allow pass through of the continuous beam, and is configured to actuate the pickup and then actuate the blade to cut the continuous beam into longitudinally symmetrical beam segments, each having a center section (swept or not) and with mirror-image equally-swept end sections.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes shearing or cutting an elongated rod blank from bar stock, forge-forming a through hole in the rod blank that extends longitudinally through opposing ends of the rod blank, forge-forming a radially-extending collar on the rod blank between the opposing ends, forming attachment holes in the radially-extending collar, and extruding bearing bores in each of the recesses to form a main spindle housing. Bearings are supported in forged recesses at each end, and a shaft is rotatably supported on the bearings. The spindle housing includes a rod portion and collar both forged from the rod blank for work-hardened strength of material, and includes attachment holes and the through hole formed by pressing out slugs of material, thus facilitating recycling of scrap.

Abstract: A supplier identification and locator system in that allows a user to identify a supplier of goods or services over the Internet; the system includes at least one directory Web site having a domain name that is at least partially descriptive of a class of goods or services. The directory Web site has a plurality of links that access suppliers' Web sites; a supplier descriptive portion located substantially adjacent to the link; a descriptive title portion substantially corresponding to the class of goods or services described in the domain name; a rollover window that displays information about at least one supplier; and an input receiving area where a user inputs data and ranked search results are displayed.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face, a connector portion and a central aperture. A guide pin has a cylindrical center portion closely received in the central aperture of the base for reciprocation, an enlarged first end with an alignment member, and an outwardly opening circumferential groove. A retainer ring is removably mounted in and protrudes radially outwardly of the groove to securely, yet detachably, retain the base on the guide pin between the enlarged head and the retainer ring in an assembled condition to facilitate transport and mounting of the guided keeper assembly.

Abstract: A table has two end legs arranged in a parallel, laterally spaced apart relationship for support on a floor surface. Two side rails are arranged in a parallel, laterally spaced apart relationship, and are connected with upper portions of the end legs to retain them in an upright orientation, defining a self-supported table frame without intermediate bracing between the side rails, with a central, vertically extending widow. Top support members are connected with the side rails and protrude outwardly therefrom in a cantilevered fashion. A top member is supported on and connected with the table frame and the top support members, defining a plurality of workstations. A utility module configured to route utilities is positioned within the window of the frame, with opposite sides abuttingly supported on the side rails to removably mount the utility module on the frame and thereby accommodate different utility requirements at the workstations.

Abstract: A modular spring retainer and method for metal forming dies includes a base shaped for detachable connection with an associated die plate, having a threaded central aperture, and an adjacent lock dowel aperture which extends through the threaded central aperture to form a window. A cylindrically-shaped spring retainer is configured to receive a spring therein, and has a threaded exterior portion which engages the threaded central aperture of the base, such that mutual rotation of the same adjusts the longitudinal position of the spring. A locking dowel is closely received in the lock dowel aperture in the base, and has an unthreaded exterior surface which protrudes through the window and abuttingly engages an adjacent portion of the threaded exterior surface of the spring retainer to securely, yet detachably, retain the spring member in a selected longitudinal position.

Abstract: A power drive unit system includes a vehicle door, a slide member, a motor, first and second cable guide members, first and second cables, an external spool, a door inner panel and one guide track. The internal spool unit includes an internal spool. The motor operatively communicates with the internal spool. The first cable guide member is associated with a first cable and the external spool. The first cable is attached to the internal spool and the external spool. The second cable guide member is associated with a second cable and the external spool. The second cable is attached to the internal cable spool the external spool, which in turn communicates with an output gear. The motor actuates the internal cable spool to pull the second cable, thereby causing rotation of the external spool and the drive shaft. The rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the door relative to the body; after which the door slides open.

Abstract: A bumper system for motor vehicles includes an energy absorption assembly that extends generally perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel and is connected with the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame by crush boxes. The energy absorption assembly has first and second generally parallel bumper members, which support one another along first and second contact surfaces. The first bumper member is slideably supported by the second bumper member and is configured such that upon impact, the first bumper member is slidingly displaced along the first and second contact surfaces both horizontally relative to the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame and vertically relative to the second bumper member.

Abstract: A sliding door panel for covering an opening in a trim panel of a sliding door includes a bracket having a first guiding member. The sliding door panel includes is a sliding appliqué having a second guiding member capable of associating with the first guiding member, and wherein the sliding appliqué includes a first end having a protruding configuration extending away from the trim panel.

Abstract: A height-adjustable support (10) for semi-trailers or the like, comprising a support outer tube (13) which can be fastened to a chassis of the semi-trailer, a slidable support inner tube (14) arranged in the support outer tube (13), at whose lower end region a foot (15) is fastened and which is connected with a nut (17) located on a spindle (16) which is drivable by means of a transmission wherein the transmission has at least a bevel gear stage (20, 24) and a shiftable transmission area located upstream having gearwheels with spur toothing for a fast-gear operation and a low-gear operation, and wherein the at least present gearwheels and pinions, i.e.

Abstract: A package made from a biodegradable material, such as paperboard, utilizes multi-layered sheets of relatively thin material which can be cut to desired shapes relatively inexpensively and folded into adjacent layers which are adhesively attached to one another to form the package. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the package defines a book-like package having an outer envelope with one side defining a sleeve for receiving a disk and an opposite side which receives a laminated multi-layered holder having a pocket in the shape of a memory chip/card or other electronic component to be held therein.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seat base. An extension member is operably connected to the seat base. A seat cover partially extends over the extension member and seat base and partially stored on a roller below the seat pan. A bladder is disposed between the seat base and the extension member. Inflation of the bladder forces the extension member forward relative to the seat base and unroll a portion of the seat cover.

Abstract: A belt seal structure for engaging a glass window of an automobile. Included is an inner belt seal and an outer belt seal, both the inner and outer belt seals engageably attached to at least one flange of an automobile door frame. Also included is a plurality of sealing lips connected to and extending away from the inner and outer belt seals, where a surface portion of the sealing lips contact the glass window. The contacting surface portion is covered with the low friction material. Further included is a relief lip of at least one of the sealing lips. The relief lip is located proximate a substantially curved contacting surface portion of the sealing lip, where the low friction material extends to cover a surface of the relief lip.

Abstract: A vehicle including an anti-chucking striker overmold for minimizing chucking of a vehicle door having a latch therein. The anti-chucking striker overmold may include a striker mount connected to a striker and including one or more wedges including a first portion contiguously engageable with a latch frameplate opening to minimize movement of the vehicle door relative to the striker in a first direction. The wedge may include a second portion formed line-to-line with a fishmouth opening of the latch to minimize movement of the vehicle door in a second direction.

Abstract: An armrest assembly for a vehicle seat 5 comprises an armrest portion 11a, 11b, 11c, a shingle head restraint portion 12 moveably attached to one end of the armrest portion 11a, 11b, 11c, to permit the shingle head restraint 12 to be moved towards and away from the one end of the armrest portion 11a, 11b, 11c, and a height adjuster to selectively secure the head restraint 12 in one of a number of predetermined displaced positions relative to the armrest portion 11a, the armrest portion being moveable from a folded up position 11a to a folded down position 11c.