Abstract: A bus light system (10) includes a plurality of indicator assemblies (16) located at each upper end corner of a bus (12). Each of the indicator assemblies (16) include first and third sections (24, 28) for indicating a slowing-to-stop condition which include illuminated word messages of CAUTION and STOPPING. Second and fourth sections (26, 34) indicate a stop condition which include illuminated word messages of DO NOT PASS and STOP. The first and third sections alternately flash during the slowing of the bus (12), while the second and fourth sections alternately flash during stopping of the bus (12) for loading and unloading.

Abstract: The armature assembly (9 or 17) includes a hub (10 or 19) adapted to be connected to and rotate with an input shaft (8 or 18). The hub (10 or 19) includes a flange (10a or 19a) connected to a composite material armature support plate (12 or 21). Rubber dampers (15 or 23) are molded to rivets (14 or 24) and are pressed into cylindrical peripheral walls (12a or 21b) of damper holder sections (13 or 22). The rivets (14 or 24) are staked to an armature (16 or 25). The rubber dampers (15 or 23) bias the armature (16 or 25) into contact with surface of a stopper (10e or 21g) when an electromagnetic clutch (1) is not energized and a space (G or G.sub.2) is formed that extends axially from the armature (16 or 25) to the armature support plate (12 or 21) and radially outward from the stopper (10e or 21g).

Abstract: An automatic speed range shifter for bicycles is disclosed which produces a downshift when a predetermined pedal force is exceeded and which produces an upshift when a predetermined pedal rotational speed is exceeded. A pedal force sensor includes a strain gage element on an arm supporting an idler sprocket for the chain. A pedal rotational speed sensor includes a magnet/coil coacting with the pedal crank. A microcomputer receives inputs from the force and speed sensors and produces control signals for the automatic shifter. The automatic shifter includes a front shifter actuator including a reversible electrical servo motor which is coupled by a cable with the front derailleur. It also includes a rear shifter actuator with a reversible servo motor which is coupled by a cable with the rear derailleur.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the removal of solid material from a workpiece utilizes a high velocity stream of ice which is caused to impinge on the workpiece. A working liquid, such as water, is supplied at high pressure to a discharge nozzle with an orifice for forming the needle-like stream. The water is cooled before it reaches the nozzle to a temperature below its freezing point so that at least some of the stream is transformed to ice. Optionally, the stream is cooled after it is emitted from the orifice by flowing an envelope of cryogenic gas around the emitted stream. The apparatus includes an inner conduit that carries the working liquid through a cutting tool where the liquid is at least partially solidified by an evaporator that utilizes a cryogenic fluid to cool the working liquid.

Abstract: A sensor method and apparatus for an optical wheel alignment machine utilizes one or more light sources, such as lasers, to project a laser line or other shaped light onto various locations about the sidewall of a tire undergoing measurement. The sensor includes a video camera or other light responsive receiver and a optical system that combines the reflected laser lines into a single image that is received by the camera. The optical system also rotates one or more of the reflected laser lines so that all of the reflected portions have the same general orientation upon entering the camera. The camera outputs a video data stream that is indicative of the image. The sensor has an electronic circuit that analyzes this video data stream in real time to determine the location in the image of a preselected feature of each of the laser lines. The circuit then outputs coordinate data indicative of the location of this feature.

Abstract: A pitman arm incorporates a preloaded pivot joint that has a stud that rotates and angulates. The preloaded pivot joint is designed so that different internal components transfer the respective lateral loads, axial compression loads and angulation loads of the stud.

Abstract: A filter assembly (10) adapted to be secured to a register (18) of the type used for covering a forced air duct outlet (12) in heating/cooling systems is disclosed. The filter assembly (10) removes contaminant particles from air flowing through the forced air duct outlet (12). The filter assembly (10) includes a filter material (33) of permeable and pliable material and an elastic band (34) secured to the filter material (33) for clamping the filter material (33) to the exterior surface (27) of the register skirt (26).

Abstract: An underwater thermoplastic pelletizer has an extruding die, and a cutter for cutting a thermoplastic polymer extruded from the die into pellets as the molten polymer is solidified under water that is circulated to cool the extruded polymer and convey the pellets away for collection. The extruding die includes a die plate that is mounted in the face of the die concentric with and opposite the cutter and has a plurality of groups of extruding die holes that are connected in the die to a central main feed passage by separate radially extending distribution feed passages. The die holes in the groups are arranged in circular patterns of uniform radius about a center line intersecting with a circle concentric with the cutter path and the groups are equally angularly spaced about the cutter center line.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly for covering the wheel of an automotive vehicle has a main body portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced wells having integral cap portions to receive and conceal the lug nuts of the wheel. Locking arms project axially from the wells and embrace the lug nuts to lock the cover member securely on the wheel. Expansion slots are provided between the locking arms of each well to facilitate the disengagement of the locking arms from the lug nuts. A special anti-theft release tool is insertable into the expansion slots forcing the locking arms radially outwardly of one another sufficiently to release the lug nuts and permit the wheel cover to be removed from the wheel.

Abstract: A fin-sealed, flat-topped, liquid-packaging carton with substantially triangular flaps of its tope end closure turned down and tacked to adjacent body panels has the horizontal part of its fin heat and pressure adhered to the top wall along approximately only that half of its length further from the triangular flap which will provide a pouring spout so that turning upwards of the spout end of the fin from its position flat against the top wall tends to pull upwards the central part of the top wall. Two score lines extending divergingly from the spout end of the top wall at respective opposite sides of the fin to respective corners of the opposite end of the top wall are thereby broken outwards rather than inwards.

Abstract: A mixing valve (10) has a control stem (22) for adjusting the movable ball valve (20) for controlling the flow rate and temperature mix of the mixed water. A spring clip (100) is mounted onto a rotatable disc member (70) retained on an upper fixed member (27). The plate member (70) has a slot (74) that receives the control stem (22) of valve element (20). The spring clip (100) has arms (102) with inwardly extending projections (114) that laterally engage the stem (22) to increase the operating force of the mixing valve when the mixing valve is at a preset flow position. The spring clip (100) rotates with the disc to cause no effect upon the temperature adjustment of the ball valve (20).

Abstract: An emergency ventilation system for elevator cabs includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. An emergency power circuit has a single pole, double throw relay located in a normal power position when the primary power source is "on" wherein it connects the low voltage power source to the ventilating fans. The single pole, double throw relay has an emergency position wherein it is positioned to connect the emergency battery source to the ventilating fans so as to operate them independently of the primary power source for providing uninterrupted ventilation to the elevator cab.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a vehicle providing energy absorption between a body member and a trim cover and a plurality of energy absorbing pins therebetween that are either permanently plastically deformed upon the cover initially being impacted or that are elastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy as the cover is impacted.

Abstract: A rivet system (10) locks separate parts (12, 14) of an assembly (13) together on a support fixture (20) with clamping devices (28) and prevents release of the parts (12, 14) from the fixture (20) until a required number of rivets (51) have been placed. A rivet setting tool (50) provides insertion of the rivets (51) between the parts (12, 14), and disposes spent rivet mandrels (62) through a vacuum tube (58) to be sensed. A detector (72) detects the spent rivet mandrels (62) and provides a signal to a controller (100), which measures the length of the mandrel to determine proper crushing or installation of the rivet (51).

Abstract: A fibrous headliner for a motor vehicle passenger compartment is formed with a nonwoven high loft batting of thermoplastic fibers having a low percentage of binder fibers that are activated with heat to establish and hold the desired appearance side contour of the headliner. The batting is needled on both sides to form integral fibrous skin layers wherein the roof side layer is substantially thicker and more dense than the passenger compartment side skin layer. The high density skin layer is then coated with a thermoset resin after the batting has been heated to activate the binder fibers. The hot batting with its resinated high density skin layer is then sandwiched by a blank of scrim stock on this side and a blank of adhesive coated cover stock on the appearance side.

Abstract: A trim molding for a framed opening of a vehicle has an outer flexible skin backed by an energy-absorbing foam core to provide impact protection to the occupants of the vehicle. Imbedded in the foam core is an air duct having an inlet and a plurality of outlets for directing a flow of air out of the duct and on to an adjacent window of the vehicle to clear the window of condensation. The duct yields under the force of impact so as not to detract from the energy-absorbing attribute of the foam.

Abstract: A pipe lap joint is disclosed with an improved sealing zone and which comprises a pair of end-to-end intersecting slots in the outer pipe which allow the sealing zone to be collapsed against the inner pipe by a band clamp around the outer pipe. The outboard slot extends inwardly from the end of the pipe and the inboard slot is circumferentially offset and extends inwardly from the outboard slot. A frangible bridging segment of the wall of the pipe extends between the adjacent walls of the two slots and is deformed or fractured and maintains isolation between the slots when the pipe is collapsed. To facilitate collapse of the outer pipe, the length of the inboard slot is maximized for increased leverage of the clamping force.

Abstract: A fastener cage for retaining a fastener on a panel comprises a retainer and a collar which sandwich a rigid substrate of the panel and snap-fit together in interconnecting relationship through a hole in the substrate. The retainer retains an anchoring end of the fastener and the collar and the retainer transmit pushing and pulling forces on the panel substrate through extensive areas of the respective inner and outer side of the substrate surrounding the hole. The retainer and collar are formed with a central opening for the insertion of the fastener and a thin inexpensive cover is adhered to the retainer to close the opening therein to prevent the entry of plastic foam that is formed against the inner side of the panel substrate.

Abstract: A compact washing and sanitizing unit and method for cleaning and drying food service trays as well as other articles after being serially loaded in an upright manner in guide tracks that lead through the unit so that the trays process one at a time through adjacent washing and drying stations of the unit. After being manually loaded, an operator by exerting a displacement force on a last loaded tray urges preceding trays through the unit by virtue of their edge-to-edge physical contact.