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 process for the production of a rigid multi-layer composite articles (20) prepared from reacting inter alia a sheet of an open cell foam material (22) impregnated with a binder resin, such as isocyanate resin, to fill the cells of the foam material (22) and a polymerization catalyst to cause the reaction of isocyanate and form isocyanurate linkages, urethane linkages, urea linkages, trimer linkages, biuret linkages, and/or allophante linkages to render the composite article (20) rigid, and having a layer of reinforcing fibers, such as glass fibers, completely (24) or partially (25) impregnated by the binder resin affixed to a surface of the foam material (22) by the binder resin. Fasteners (27) formed of a thermoplastic material are provided having an appropriate adhesion surface. The adhesion surface of each of the fasteners (27) is melted by any of the well known techniques such as spin welding, etc.

Abstract: A combined cutting/grinding tool comprises a grinding wheel with an exterior circumferential grinding surface for profiling an object surface of a product to be manufactured. The grinding surface includes an abrasive grit. A profile is formed in the grinding surface for grinding a corresponding profile into the object surface. A plurality of inserts are inserted into a plurality of slots formed in the grinding surface. A cutting portion of each insert extends radially and integrally outward from the grinding surface to cut detail into the object surface of the part to be manufactured.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on a sealed electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes the electrical and mechanical components including an electric motor that pivot the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position. These components and wiring harnesses are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries a motor control circuit for the electric motor and provides additional protection for the electric motor. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical sealed electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger door.

Abstract: A method for securing a pour spout fitment to a thermoplastic-coated container, wherein at least a surface of a pour spout fitment is heated remotely by a suitable heating mechanism, to a predetermined temperature. When the heated fitment surface is applied to a selected surface of an erected, thermoplastic-coated container, the heat energy is transferred to the latter surface to an extent capable of activating the thermoplastic coating thereon. Upon cooling, the fitment and the container surface are bonded together, without the need for a back-up or support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil.

Abstract: A high efficiency and high capacity filter medium including a top layer of fibrous felt material, an intermediate layer of melt-blown material, and a substrate layer needled together into an integrated layer of filter material. The substrate layer is formed of a layer of composite fiber including a group of melt-blown fibers interspersed between groups of spun-bonded fibers. Alternatively, the substrate layer is formed of spun-bonded material.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly has a gear housing, axle tubes extending outwardly of the gear housing, and an axle shaft disposed in each axle tube with an external wheel hub at a protruding end of the axle shaft. Each axle shaft is rotatably supported in a flanged end collar at a remote end of the axle tube by a bearing assembly that is mounted on the axle shaft and retained in the end collar by a screw cap. The drive axle assembly includes a brake member mounted externally on the end collar in juxtaposition to an external shaped flange of the end collar. The screw cap clamps the brake member against the external flange to locate the brake member on the axle tube in an axial direction and to nonrotatably couple the brake member to the axle tube.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim component, such as a glove compartment or console door, and its method of fabrication includes an outer flexible shell having a peripheral contoured return flap captured within a peripheral gap provided between insert and backing panels of the component. Foam is injected into a space between the outer shell and insert panel and any gases and excess foam are allowed to escape from the foam space into an adjacent overflow chamber in a controlled manner through the gap while the return flap seals the assembly against external leakage of such excess foam.

Abstract: A breathing device including a heat exchanger module retained adjacent the mouth of a user by a fabric holder. The heat exchanger module includes a wall surrounding a non-linear, tubular flow passage extending between a first air vent and a second air vent. A heat exchanging medium comprising a woven copper cloth is disposed within the flow passage. The flow passage includes a larger cross-sectional area adjacent the first air vent than adjacent the second air vent.

Abstract: An energy absorbing interior automotive trim part (36) has a shell (42) made from polypropylene sections (62), (68), and (69) divided via partitions (58) and (72) extending from the outer wall (44) of shell (42) and touching the passenger compartment facing wall (46). The shell (42) is blow molded with carpet (74), vinyls and other fabric materials (76) integrally molded to adhere directly to wall (46). After molding, interior section or partial section (62) is filled with a structurally engineered energy absorbing foam (64) to provide an energy absorbing structure which will compress a pre-determined distance while absorbing the compressive force applied.

Abstract: An improved electric shift transfer case system (10) and electronic control circuit (16) therefor utilizes a microprocessor (73), interface circuit (72), and motor drive circuit (70) to control energization of a direct current electric shift motor (58) that is used to switch between drive modes in the transfer case (14) of a full or part-time four wheel drive vehicle. The motor drive circuit (70) includes four switching elements, such as transistors (74-77). The first and second switching elements connect respective first and second ones of the two motor terminals (58a,58b) to a supply voltage and the third and fourth switching elements connect the first and second motor terminals (58a,58b), respectively, to ground. The switching elements (74-77) each have a conductive state and non-conductive state selectable by a command input that is coupled to and controlled by data outputs of the microprocessor (73).

Abstract: A three-piece angle stop valve comprises a valve body (10), a resilient control sleeve (12) and a handle (14), with no separate fastening or sealing element required. The control sleeve has a stem (28) that has annular outer splines (32) and inner grooves (36) and splines (37) surrounding axially center cavity (38). The handle has a central post (40) that intrudes into cavity and has complementary splines (42) that interengage with grooves (36) and splines (37) of stem section. The handle also has an annular mid section (44) with complementary inner splines (46) that interengage with splines (32) on the outer wall of stem section (28) to provide significant increased torque transfer capability to turn the control sleeve within the valve body.

Abstract: An armature assembly (4 or 15) for an electromagnetic coupling device has a stop plate (9), rubber dampers (11) and an armature (12). Stop plate (9), which is formed in a press from a single steel plate, has a boss (9b), flanges (9c) and a periphery wall (9a). The periphery wall (9a) reinforces the stop plate (9) and forms damper covers (9e) on the ends of the flanges (9c). The damper covers (9e) have a wall surface (9d) that surrounds the damper chamber except for an opening on one side of the damper cover facing toward the boss (9b). A rubber damper (11) with a torque pin (10) is mounted in each damper cover (9e). An armature (12) is secured to the torque pins (10) by staking. The opening in one side of the damper cover permits the rubber damper 11 adjacent to the opening to move toward the torque pin (10) when that portion of the rubber damper is subjected to a tension force. This movement of the rubber damper (11) reduces the maximum stress in the damper and increases damper life.

Abstract: A circular saw (14) has a blower conduit (76) for producing a sufficiently strong air current directly in front of the circular saw blade (18) to blow away saw dust from about the lead guide (34) that is aligned directly in front of the saw blade. The lead guide is mounted at the front edge of the foot (30). The conduit (76) is attached to a funnel section (70) that receives air from blower fan (28). The conduit 76 is self supporting and extends from the funnel section (70) and has a free standing distal end (67) that can be adjustably pointed to the lead guide (34) to allow passage of air flow from the exhaust vents to the lead guide.

Abstract: A sign (10') includes a sign housing (16') defining an internal cavity (32'). The sign housing (16') includes front and rear faces (18', 20') having indicia or an instruction thereon, and includes flashing lights (58) above and below the indicia. A recessed flange (86) defines an opening in the faces (18, 20), and a lens (87) is secured over the opening and to the flange (86) so that it is flush or planar with the faces (18', 20'). Light elements (28') are positioned within the sign housing (16') behind the lens (87). The sign housing (16') is sealed to protect the light element (28').

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in manufacturing a fibrous preform with a narrow channel flange includes a foraminous preform screen (12), a fiber nozzle (28) that blows a stream of chopped fibers onto the screen (12) and binder nozzles (32) that spray binder into the fiber stream. Air blown from air nozzles (30) helps guide the fibers and a ducted fan (26) helps draw and hold them onto the screen (12). The screen (12) is formed with a narrow channel flange (16) having a shape identical to the narrow channel flange of the fibrous preform to be manufactured. The screen's flange (16) has a channel floor (36) extending laterally outward from the screen's main body (14) and a channel outer wall (38) projecting perpendicularly away from the channel floor (36) toward the fiber nozzle (28). A hinge (40) connects the channel floor (36) to the channel outer wall (38). To allow the nozzles to deposit a more uniform layer (42) of fibers, the outer wall (38) is rotated outward to lie parallel with the channel floor (36).

Abstract: A molded motor vehicle instrument panel made of a thermoplastic material has an integral air bag deployment door for a passenger side air bag that is defined by a tear seam and is normally retained by an integral flexible mounting/hinge flange to a part of the vehicle structure when the seam is torn by the inflating air bag and wherein this flange then bends to allow the door to swing open to allow deployment of the air bag through an opening in the instrument panel while retaining same to the vehicle structure as the door is then free of the instrument panel. At very low temperatures, a portion of the air bag door can break away from the mounting/hinge flange because of plastic embrittlement at these low temperatures and the high bending stresses encountered at this juncture.

Abstract: A hollow golf club shaft including a plurality of diverging and converging substantially frustoconical sections. The sections have respective predetermined substantially constant wall thicknesses.

Abstract: An exercise device to be worn on the user's body. The exercise device includes a resistance arm connected by pivot means at the ends thereof to mechanisms for mounting the resistance arm at spaced apart locations on the human body. The mechanisms for mounting include an arm harness at one end and a body harness at the other end, or a pair of straps for mounting around either an arm or a leg of the user's body spaced above and below an elbow or a knee, respectively.