Abstract: A thermoplastic automotive interior trim panel of uniform wall thickness has an integral outwardly projecting storage pocket of complex curvature to which is added an extruded elastomeric thermoplastic edge molding to form a relatively large smooth rounded edge at the opening to the pocket. A top margin of the pocket is curved inward so that the pocket edge faces inward and the edge molding is held in place by internal ribs that snap onto locking tabs formed integral with the curved top pocket margin at locations spaced therealong. In one embodiment, the locking tabs are located on the sides of the top margin of the pocket at the pocket edge and the edge molding extends completely over this edge to be located thereby.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting wearables, such as cosmetics and clothing accessories, which match an object of interest, includes control logic for selecting an appropriate wearable based on a metric determined by light reflected from the object. Light is transmitted by an input device which also detects the reflected light. The input device is connected to the control logic which determines a metric and compares the metric to predetermined data corresponding to each of the available wearables. The selected wearable is indicated to a customer by an output device also connected to the control logic. The output device may include a light corresponding to each available wearable, or a mechanical machine which provides the selected wearable or a sample of the selected wearable to the customer. In one embodiment the apparatus is utilized to match the color of a cosmetic foundation make-up to the color of the customer's skin.

Abstract: Machine and method for applying an anaerobic sealant and locking material into a workpiece bore in which an outwardly flaring cup mounted onto a rotatable anaerobic material reservoir and spin cup drive having a truncated conical wall with openings therein to feed the anaerobic material into the flaring spin cup in response to the centrifugals on the material as the reservoir and spin cup is rotatably driven. The anaerobic material will be spun from the cup in a controlled manner so that an annular layer of anaerobic material is applied onto the bore wall. A closure member can be subsequently inserted into the bore being sealed and permanently retained therein by the material. In a preferred method, the reservoir and spin cup assembly is moved between a retracted material load position and an extended material apply position.

Abstract: Described is an aqueous electroless alkaline pH tin coating composition comprised of a source of tin ions and an effective amount of a sludge control agent that is an organic chelating composition.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a parallelogram type steering linkage that includes two adjustable tie rod assemblies. Each adjustable tie rod assembly comprises a tie rod and a right angled ball joint at each end of the tie rod for connecting the tie rod assembly in the steering linkage system. The tie rod has a threaded end that is screwed into an internally threaded portion of the housing of the ball joint at the outboard end of the tie rod. The threaded end of the tie rod carries a jam nut that is tightened against the housing to maintain the depth of the threaded end of the tie rod in the internally threaded portion of the housing. The inboard end of the tie rod has a cylindrical head. The cylindrical head is rotatably fit and axially captured in a cylindrical bore of the housing of the ball joint at the inboard end of the tie rod. The tie rod has a median section of hexagonal shape for rotating the tie rod.

Abstract: The molding apparatus includes a press (10) with a top mold (12) and a bottom mold (14). The top mold (12) has a die (32) with a contoured die surface (34) and gas passages (36). The bottom mold (14) has a die 44 with a contoured die surface (46). The die (44) is made from either a solid piece of material with gas passages or from a porous material. During operation of the molding apparatus, a workpiece (26) is placed in a mold cavity between the top mold and the bottom mold. The mold cavity (24) is closed to shape the workpiece. The workpiece is heated by hot gas supplied by a gas supply and recirculation system (52) when the diverter valves (68 and 70) are opened and gas flows from gas circulation fan 56 to the gas heater chamber (54) to the bottom mold (14), through the die 44, through the workpiece (26), through the die 32 and back to the inlet side of the gas circulation fan (56).

Abstract: The row crop cultivator includes a cultivation unit (10) with a unit frame (12) attached to a tool bar (21) by parallel links (28 and 34). The unit frame (12) is supported by a pair of gauge wheels (14 and 16). A disk coulter (18) is mounted on the unit frame (12) with its forward edge positioned between the gauge wheels (14 and 16). A middleworker (20) is supported by the unit frame (20) directly behind the disk coulter (18). The gauge wheels (14 and 16) are mounted on an axle assembly (90) that includes gauge wheel arms (92 and 94) and a force equalizing link (98). The force equalizing link (98) equalizes the force exerted on the two gauge wheels (14 and 16) by the unit frame (12). An adjustment rod (106) adjusts the position of the force equalizing link. A coulter adjustment rod (54 ) with a lost motion connection adjusts the maximum depth of the disk coulter.

Abstract: A unit handled air cell assembly or module is mounted on a backplate or other suitable support of an automotive seat back. The module comprises an air cell, an electric motor driven air pump, a solenoid valve and a reversible electric pigtail for connecting the electric motor and the solenoid valve to a control circuit. The electric motor driven air pump is disposed inside the air cell and operatively connected to an air tube that extends out of the air cell. The solenoid valve is connected to the exterior end of the air tube to control the flow of air to and from the air cell. The electric motor driven air pump is shaped so as to fit in a cut-out of the back plate or support and avoid discomfort to the seat occupant. In a second embodiment, the electric motor driven air pump is disposed in a plastic sleeve that is attached to the air cell and the solenoid valve is attached to the outlet end of the air pump.

Abstract: A face type commutator (10) includes a hat shaped member (12) and an insulator hub (14) with an armature axis of rotation (22). The hat shaped member (12) has a plate portion (24) with a brush contact surface (26) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (22) and a cylindrical portion (16) that extends axially from the brush contact surface and defines a cavity (46). The hub (14) fills the cavity (46) and slots (42) in the cylindrical portion (16). Grooves (70) divide the plate portion (24) into a plurality of collector segments (72). A cylindrical sealing surface (76) is formed on the cylindrical portion (16) and portions of the hub (14) below the grooves (70). Tangs (30) integral with the cylindrical portion (16) below the cylindrical sealing surface (76) each have a radially extending leg portion (32) and a foot portion (34) that extends circumferentially from both sides of the leg portion to hold armature coil wires (40) on the leg portion.

Abstract: A filled aliphatic thermoplastic urethane automotive air bag door tear seam insert is formed of a polyol, a chain extender, an organic diisocyanate, an antioxidant, a urethane catalyst, and a weakening filler wherein the filler is present in a range of approximately 60% to 80% by weight and is selected from the group consisting of anhydrous calcium sulfate, nepheline syenite and hollow silica-alumina alloy microspheres and combinations thereof. The filler may be only one of the group members or any combination thereof and in either equal or unequal proportions. The insert is adapted to be molded in place in a cover skin cast there about. The cast cover skin including the tear seam insert may be coated with a light stable paint; or for light stability and color matching, the urethane elastomer forming the cover skin and insert is formulated to include an ultra violet stabilizing agent(s) and a color pigment(s) in certain critical concentrations to obtain the desired effect.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a reinforced plastic skin for an automobile interior trim structure. The method includes the steps of supplying a plastic material onto a mold surface, heating the plastic material to fuse it into a unitary layer, embedding a reinforcing material into the layer, and cooling the plastic and reinforcing materials. The method can be used to reinforce an air bag door cover by incorporating a tear seam into the plastic layer and embedding the reinforcing material into the layer such that it surrounds the tear seam. The reinforcing material aids in rupturing of the cover along the designated tear seam during deployment of the air bag. Also disclosed is an air bag door cover formed in accordance with the disclosed method.

Abstract: A novel pharmaceutical composition having anti-bacterial and antiviral activity and method of treating diseases caused by bacterial and viral pathogens through stimulation of the immunologic system. The composition comprises selected amounts of chlorambucil, procarbazine and cyclophosphamide. Melphalan and liothyronine are primary options. Calcium may also be included as a desirable supplement. The method includes administering these components to a patient in an ordered, time-released manner.

Abstract: An arm rest support (20) has a mounting plate section (22) mounted onto a inner door panel (12) of a motor vehicle door (10). The mounting plate section (22) has a thickened bar section (30) which has a plurality of ribs (32) upwardly extending and inwardly extending therefrom. Each rib (32) is angularly displaced with respect to the other ribs. A top plate (40) is seated onto the distal ends (36) of the ribs and connected to a flange (52) of the mounting plate section (22). A door trim panel (18) incorporating an arm rest section (19) is mounted onto the door inner panel (12). The arm rest section (19) is shaped to form a cavity (68) to receive the support (20) and top plate (40). The support (20) and top plate (40) in the arm rest section (19) resist against downwardly directed forces while permitting collapse of the arm rest section in the outboard direction.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007" and 0.040" are formed from melt extruded thermoplastic material suitable for casting on a heated mold surface and melting thereon to form a thin layer of material that is cooled and removed from the mold surface as a part having a porosity less than a visually observable threshold. The process includes the steps of providing microspheres formed of blended and melt extruded thermoplastic, plasticizers (if necessary) and pigment additives that constitute less than 5% by weight of the blend and shaped as a smooth round spherical particle. The microspheres may then be distributed as a predetermined charge of such microspheres against the heated casting surface to melt the microspheres as a layer of thermoplastic material having a porosity less than 0.003 inches and thereafter cooling and removing the non-porous layer from the casting surface.

Abstract: A method of testing the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of a chemical includes the steps of exposing test cells to the chemical in vitro, intracellularly metabolizing the chemical into a mutagenic or cytotoxic metabolite and then detecting gene/protein/cell damage in the test cells as an indication of the mutagenicity/cytotoxicity of the chemical.A cell line is provided for testing cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the chemicals, the cell line consisting essentially of fibroblasts normally having no detectable cytochrome P450 mixed function oxidase enzyme activity. The fibroblasts are transformed with chimeric gene constructs containing cytochrome P450 coding sequences and have intracellular cytochrome P450 oxidative metabolizing activity.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007" and 0.040" are formed from melt extruded thermoplastic material suitable for casting on a heated mold surface and melting thereon to form a thin layer of material having a nominal thickness of 0.040" that is cooled and removed from the mold surface as a part having a porosity less than a visually observable threshold. The process includes the steps of providing microspheres formed of blended and melt extruded thermoplastic, plasticizers (if necessary) and pigment additives that constitute less than 5% by weight of the blend and shaped as a smooth round spherical particle. The microspheres may then be distributed as predetermined charge of such microspheres against the heated casting surface to melt the microspheres as a layer of thermoplastic material having a porosity less than 0.003 inches and thereafter cooling and removing the non-porous layer from the casting surface.

Abstract: A skateboard truck (10) for a skateboard (100) having a pivotal member (12) which is arranged to be connected to the deck (102) of the skateboard. The pivotal member (12) carries the wheel assembly (13) of the truck (10). A locking mechanism (14) is also provided. In a first (unlocked) mode of operation, the pivotal member (12) is a able to pivot so that the truck (10) is movable in a to and fro manner. This first mode of operation permits a rider to perform advanced maneuvers using a skateboard (100). In a second (locked) mode of operation, the truck (10) is locked against such to and fro movement by the locking mechanism (14).

Abstract: In order to improve a method for monitoring movable elements, in particular windows and sunroofs in motor vehicles, such that an object clamped between the movable parts and the part at rest is detected in a reliable fashion, the force acting upon such objects is maintained at the lowest possible value and the direction of the window is inverted as rapidly as possible. In order to ensure a reliable protection, a cutoff threshold consists of a constant component and a variable component, with the size of the difference (Dn) between the cutoff threshold and the instantaneous value of the rotation time (tu) influencing the switching signal.